Dodgers set NLCS 26-man roster, add Justin Wrobleski as bullpen lefty

The Dodgers finalized their 26-man roster for the National League Championship Series, adding left-handed reliever Justin Wrobleski and setting their pitching mix for Game 1 at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Sunday night. The move brings a 13th pitcher to the postseason staff, a clear report that Los Angeles is prioritizing late-inning options as the series shifts to a high-leverage, match-up driven format.

Wrobleski’s addition gives the Dodgers another left-handed arm available out of the bullpen. In postseason series, that kind of role player can matter quickly, especially when managers try to avoid giving hitters repeated looks against a platoon advantage. For Los Angeles, adding him also indicates they have been comfortable narrowing the roster to the core skills they trust most in October.

The Dodgers also made one notable omission from their earlier postseason group, leaving speed option Hyeseong Kim off the NLCS roster. Kim’s absence means Los Angeles will go with a more traditional mix of position players and bench bats for this stage, rather than carrying an extra speed-focused look specifically designed for basepaths and pinch-running opportunities.

On the position-player side, Miguel Rojas was included after dealing with lower back pain earlier in the postseason. According to the Dodgers’ roster announcement, Rojas came away feeling good from post-NLDS workouts and from the air travel to Milwaukee, allowing the team to keep him available for the next round.

Roster decisions like these tend to reflect more than one factor. Beyond health, teams typically adjust for expected game scripts, likely innings usage, and how often they anticipate needing pinch-hit matchups or defensive replacements. With the Dodgers carrying 13 pitchers, the bullpen picture is built to handle multiple paths through games, from early stretches to extended late innings.

For players, an NLCS roster spot also affects how managers deploy them once the first pitch is thrown. With Wrobleski on the roster, the Dodgers can be more flexible about when and where they deploy left-right matchups in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings. Meanwhile, Kim’s absence pushes that flexibility toward other bench roles, including internal alternatives on the roster for speed and late-game duties.

As the series begins in Milwaukee, the immediate question for Los Angeles is how the bullpen rotation and late-inning plan translate against the NLCS opponent. Wrobleski’s role will be watched closely, as will Rojas’ effectiveness and availability given the recent back concern. The Dodgers, for their part, appear ready to lean into pitching depth early and keep their on-field options tight for the length of the series.