Dodgers Add Seth Halvorsen, Charlie Barnes to Bullpen in Roster Shuffle
The Los Angeles Dodgers made a series of roster moves Monday, adding right-handed pitcher Seth Halvorsen and left-hander Charlie Barnes to the active roster ahead of their series opener against the Kansas City Royals at Dodger Stadium. To make room, the team designated right-hander Jonathan Hernández for assignment and optioned fellow right-hander Kyle Hurt to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Halvorsen, 26, was acquired from the Colorado Rockies on July 20 in a three-player trade that sent right-hander Nick Frasso and minor-league outfielder Landyn Vidourek to Colorado. The hard-throwing right-hander had been on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation at the time of the deal, but he has been dominant since joining the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate.
In six appearances for Oklahoma City, Halvorsen has not allowed a run, striking out eight batters and walking two over 6.1 innings. He recorded two saves and last pitched Thursday, striking out three in a scoreless ninth inning. His fastball velocity this season sits at 98.8 mph, ranking in the 98th percentile in MLB.
Barnes, 29, has bounced between the majors and Triple-A all season. He has made four appearances for the Dodgers this year, allowing seven runs in seven innings—though that ugly number is skewed by one bulk relief appearance in which he was asked to eat innings. In three one-inning outings, Barnes has been scoreless. The left-hander was claimed off waivers from the Chicago Cubs in May and has twice been designated for assignment, cleared waivers, elected free agency, and re-signed on a minor-league deal.
The moves come after two consecutive days of heavy bullpen usage in Arizona, where the Dodgers lost two of three to the Diamondbacks. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the need for fresh arms, saying the team wanted to protect relievers who had pitched multiple days in a row.
Bullpen Depth Has Been a Concern for the Dodgers
The Dodgers' bullpen has been a weak point this season, even as the team holds a 7.5-game lead in the NL West and owns the fourth-best record in baseball at 70-48. Dodgers relievers have a collective 4.01 ERA, which ranks near the middle of the pack. That is a stark contrast to the starting rotation, whose 3.54 ERA is second-best in the majors.
The late innings have been particularly shaky. Closer Edwin Díaz, who returned in late July after undergoing elbow surgery in April, has blown three of eight save opportunities and owns a 10.80 ERA in five appearances since his return. He has allowed 12 runs and 17 hits in 10 innings overall. Manager Dave Roberts has been searching for reliable options to bridge the gap from starters to the back end.
Against that backdrop, the addition of Halvorsen gives the Dodgers another hard-throwing option in the middle innings. He won't take over as closer, but he can slot into a setup role or be used in high-leverage spots when the late-inning trio of Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, and Jack Dreyer needs rest.
Halvorsen's control has been an issue throughout his career. In 71 innings over parts of three seasons with the Rockies, he walked 38 batters, an average of 4.9 per nine innings. This season in Colorado, he had 15 walks and 17 strikeouts in 19 innings. But his ability to hit 100 mph with his fastball has intrigued teams, and the Dodgers believe they can help him sharpen his command.
One notable split: Halvorsen actually pitched better at Coors Field (3.40 ERA) than on the road (5.46) in his Rockies career, so any narrative about him benefiting from leaving Denver is not supported by the numbers.
What the Roster Moves Mean for Hernández and Hurt
The corresponding moves signal a reset for two pitchers who have struggled to find consistency. Hernández, 29, signed a major-league deal with the Dodgers in May after opting out of his contract with the Phillies. He has made 15 appearances for Los Angeles, posting a 6.45 ERA over 22.1 innings. In seven games at Triple-A Oklahoma City, he had a 6.14 ERA in 7.1 innings.
Hernández pitched the final two innings of Sunday's loss in Arizona, allowing one run on two hits. He will now go on waivers; if he clears, he could elect free agency or accept an outright assignment to the minors.
Kyle Hurt, who was optioned to Triple-A, has had a trying season. The right-hander has appeared in 37 games for the Dodgers, recording a 4.46 ERA with 46 strikeouts over 38.1 innings. He was recalled at the start of August and made four appearances, allowing two runs over five innings with seven strikeouts. He pitched both Saturday and Sunday against the Diamondbacks, so the option gives him a chance to rest and refine his mechanics.
Dodgers Look to Reset with Skubal on the Mound
The Dodgers will look to right the ship Monday with left-hander Tarik Skubal on the mound. Skubal, acquired at the trade deadline, has been excellent since joining the rotation, averaging 6.04 innings per start and completing at least six innings in 12 of his 17 starts this season. He is making his first start at Dodger Stadium since the trade.
Manager Dave Roberts said Monday he plans to give Skubal a longer leash after pulling him after 85 pitches in six innings last Tuesday against the Cubs. "Giving him a little more leash tonight," Roberts said, suggesting the team wants to avoid overworking the bullpen whenever possible.
Barnes, who will join the bullpen, could be a long-relief option if needed. Given his history of being shuttled between the majors and minors, he may only be with the big-league club for a short stint. Blake Snell is expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list before Tuesday's game, which could force further roster adjustments.
What This Means for the Dodgers' Playoff Push
The timing of these moves is significant. With the trade deadline passed and the postseason approaching, the Dodgers are fine-tuning their bullpen for October. Halvorsen's addition gives them another power arm that could be a weapon in high-leverage situations if he can harness his control.
The team's front office has been aggressive in retooling the roster around a core that includes Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman. The acquisition of Halvorsen and Skubal at the deadline signaled a clear intention to make a deep playoff run. But bullpen reliability remains the biggest question mark.
Edwin Díaz's struggles have amplified the need for dependable middle relievers who can get to the back end of the bullpen. If Halvorsen can translate his Triple-A success to the majors, he could become a key piece in that bridge. His strikeout rate at Oklahoma City—8 Ks in 6.1 innings—suggests he is missing bats, and his velocity gives him a high ceiling.
However, the Dodgers are also mindful of his injury history. Halvorsen spent time on the injured list with shoulder inflammation earlier this season, and his walk rates remain a red flag for analytics-minded clubs. But the team is confident that its pitching development staff can help him improve his command, much as they have done with other reclamation projects.
Seth Halvorsen's Background and Trade Details
Halvorsen was selected by the Rockies in the 17th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Missouri State University. He made his MLB debut in 2023 and quickly showed flashes of brilliance but also inconsistency. In 2026, before the trade, he appeared in 21 games for Colorado, posting a 4.74 ERA with 17 strikeouts and 15 walks in 19 innings.
The Dodgers traded Nick Frasso, a promising pitching prospect, and outfielder Landyn Vidourek to acquire him. That the Dodgers were willing to part with Frasso, who was one of their top pitching prospects, underscores how highly they value Halvorsen's raw stuff.
Now, Halvorsen gets a fresh start in a new organization, away from the pressure of a rebuilding team and the unique challenges of Coors Field. He will likely be used in middle relief, where his power fastball and sharp slider can play up in shorter stints.
The Broader Implications for the Dodgers and Beyond
This roster move is part of a larger trend in baseball: the increasing specialization of bullpens. Teams are stockpiling hard-throwing relievers, often acquired via trade, to deploy in matchup-specific roles. The Dodgers have been at the forefront of this strategy, using a deep bullpen to cover innings and protect leads.
For Halvorsen, this is an opportunity to prove he can be a reliable big-league arm. His control issues are well-documented, but his raw stuff is undeniable. If he can cut his walk rate, he could become a fixture in the Dodgers' late-inning mix.
For other teams, the Dodgers' willingness to trade prospects for relievers like Halvorsen signals that the market for power arms remains robust. Expect more mid-tier trades in future deadlines as contenders look to shore up their bullpens.
As for the Kansas City Royals, they will face a Dodgers team that is eager to bounce back from a series loss. With Skubal on the mound and fresh arms in the pen, Los Angeles looks to reassert its dominance at home.
The Dodgers' bullpen remains a work in progress, but Monday's moves add depth and flexibility. Whether Halvorsen can capitalize on this opportunity might be one of the most intriguing storylines of the season's stretch run.
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