Dodgers’ Andy Pages replacement after injury proves the margins are thin, even in LA

Many MLB fans seem to think that the Los Angeles Dodgers are an unbeatable force destined to ruin the sport. While they certainly are MLB’s next great dynasty, having won back-to-back World Series and being rightfully favored to win another, if anything, the post-deadline version of this team has shown us, they’re anything but.

Andy Pages suffering a hand fracture in Friday’s game only emphasizes that the Dodgers are, indeed, beatable, especially when considering that Alek Thomas is his replacement, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The Dodgers are still elite, but even a team as loaded as this one can only sustain so many injuries.

Alek Thomas call-up proves margins are razor-thin, even for powerful Dodgers

The Dodgers need a center fielder to replace Pages, as Kyle Tucker and Teoscar Hernandez are entrenched in the corners. You’d think a Dodgers team loaded with outfield prospects, even after trading Zyhir Hope away at the trade deadline, would have a center fielder waiting in the wings, but that isn’t exactly the case.

The outfield prospect closest to big-league-ready, James Tibbs III, hasn’t played center field at all since the Cape Cod League in 2023. Their top outfield prospect, Josue De Paula, is not even a good defensive corner outfielder, making playing him in center field a non-starter. Guys more suitable to play center field, like Mike Sirota, Eduardo Quintero and Charles Davalan, are all further away from being big-league ready. Thomas is the best player they have who can realistically play center field, and that shows just how shallow their depth at that position is.

Thomas is a strong defender who runs well, but he’s hit .181 with a .563 OPS at the big-league level this season and he has a .634 OPS in parts of five MLB seasons. There’s a reason the Arizona Diamondbacks DFA’d him and traded him to their NL West rivals. He isn’t the worst fourth outfielder in the world, but it’s hard to envision a player of his caliber starting meaningful games for a World Series-caliber team down the stretch. Yet, that’s a clear possibility given where the Dodgers are.

Dodgers lineup without Andy Pages leaves a lot to be desired

This lineup, widely considered the best in the sport, is not nearly as scary nowadays. Sure, there’s obviously a lot of talent, particularly at the top, but with Pages out, Mookie Betts and his .707 OPS is now the Dodgers’ best right-handed hitter. There’s more pressure on guys like Betts, Kyle Tucker and Teoscar Hernandez to step up amid a season full of struggles.

The bottom of this order is unrecognizable. The Dodgers already have one of the worst catching situations in the league, and now Thomas as their primary center fielder doesn’t spark much optimism either, and I’m not sure there’s another option. I mean, the Dodgers could choose to play Tommy Edman there, but he’s made just two appearances there this season, fresh off a major ankle injury. Enrique Hernandez has tons of center field experience, but how much do the Dodgers want to play him there at age 34? Alex Call has played some center field as well, but is he really a starting-caliber player either?

The options just aren’t very good, no matter how you slice it. Yes, the Dodgers are still in a good spot, and they hope to get Pages back by the time the playoffs roll around, but even a team as good as this one can only afford so many injuries. Pages’ injury is going to force them to rely on an underwhelming situation in center field, and if these injuries continue to mount, their path to a three-peat will be trickier to envision.