Brandon League

Dodgers reliever Brandon League will be out "an extended period of time." Manager Don Mattingly was not specific but it is believed to be a few months because of a shoulder issue.

Fantasy Impact

The Dodgers bullpen continues to get ravaged and is in flux. League was one of the few arms that had prior closing experience. Rosterresource.com currently has Chris Hatcher as the closer with Joel Peralta and Pedro Baez as set-up men and Sergio Santos, Dustin McGowan and J.P. Howell in middle relief. I think Sergio Santos and Peralta have the best shot to "run away" with the job while Kenley Jansen is out but Mattingly has stated that he may employ a closer-by-committe approach. This looks to be a situation to avoid until there is some clarity.

Brandon League entered the fifth inning of Monday's game against the Giants and was only able to record one out. His final line was three hits given up for five earned runs and one walk.

Fantasy Impact

Brandon League being Brandon League...say the Dodgers fans that remember the 2013 version. League that year pitched 54.1 innings and finished with a 5.30 ERA and 1.546 WHIP. 2014 League sported a 2.57 ERA with a 1.46 WHIP. With Sergio Santos pitching lights out so far, League may have gone behind him in the pecking order to replace Kenley Jansen.

Brandon League entered Thursday's game against the Chicago White Sox in the third inning after Clayton Kershaw pitched the first two. League struck out one batter and did not give up a hit or a walk.

Fantasy Impact

The battle to replace Kenley Jansen has begun. Sergio Santos looked sharp yesterday. League was perfect today. Both have closing experience but League may have the edge because of Mattingly's familiarity with him. If Santos can get his control in order, he has the ability to miss more bats with his devasting slider. League is a sinker-baller who induces ground balls. This situation is fluid and completely up in air so we will try to monitor it as best as we can.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported that the Dodgers have placed pitcher Brandon League on the trading block. They are in discussions with several teams about trading the relief pitcher and are willing to eat half of his $7.5 million salary.

Fantasy Impact

League bounced back last year after a horrible 2013. He posted a 2.57 ERA in 63 innings pitched. The hard throwing sinker baller had trouble finding the plate at times as evidenced by his 1.460 WHIP. Even if League is given save opportunities, it's tough to rely on a reliever with a career 1.325 WHIP.