Will Klein will be opener for second game vs. Yankees

Klein hit the injured list with elbow discomfort back on August 1. He’s done for the rest of the regular season. The procedural move frees up a spot on Los Angeles’ 40-man roster for veteran reliever Blake Treinen.

Klein has struggled as of late, and it appears to be at least somewhat health-related. The 26-year-old hurler will be out of commision for at least two weeks, but it’s likely Klein will undergo further testing on his elbow — if he hasn’t already — to determine how long he’ll be out.

Klein had some shaky outings in June as seen in a 4.32 ERA over the month, but for the most part, he’s been one of the more effective relief hurlers on the Dodgers. It’s the second save of the season for the 26-year-old, and while it’s far from a guarantee he’ll see more, he’s looked the part when given the opportunity. He also has already picked up 11 holds, so his appeal in leagues that value that statistics is obvious.

Will Klein gets the ball as an opener for Los Angeles before turning things over to Lauer for a bulk outing. The 31-year-old lefty has delivered a respectable 3.22 ERA and 14/5 K/BB ratio across 22 1/3 innings since being acquired from the Blue Jays last month.

Klein was summoned in the ninth inning with a one-run lead after Tanner Scott pitched the eighth to face the heart of the Padres’ order. Klein made easy work, recording two groundouts and a strikeout to secure the win and convert his first save. Scott should still be expected to operate as the Dodgers’ primary closer, but there will be occasions where he’s utilized before the ninth based on matchups.

In every October run, there’s a swing that becomes shorthand for everything else. This one will be remembered forever — especially if the Dodgers go on to win their second straight title. Freeman put the exclamation point on the longest game in World Series history, ending a nearly seven-hour extra-inning marathon with a majestic fly ball that barely cleared the center-field fence. This game had everything: spectacular defense on both sides, heroic relief outings from unheralded arms like Toronto lefty Eric Lauer — who fired 4 2/3 shutout frames — and Dodgers righty Will Klein, who delivered four scoreless innings on a career-high 72 pitches. And, as the 19th inning loomed, Yoshinobu Yamamoto was warming up in the bullpen — just two days removed from throwing a 105-pitch complete game. The two clubs will meet again in just a few hours for Game 4 of the Fall Classic at Dodger Stadium with Shohei Ohtani taking the mound opposite Shane Bieber. Are you not entertained?

Scott was removed from the team’s roster during the NLDS after undergoing a lower body abscess procedure. The Dodgers were hopeful that he would be ready to return for the start of the World Series, but he isn’t quite there yet. Vesia is still away from the team while navigating a deeply personal family matter. Ben Casparius was removed from the roster along with Vesia while Edgardo Henriquez and Will Klein were added. Michael Conforto remains off the roster as well. The Dodgers will kick off the Fall Classic in Toronto on Friday evening against Trey Yesavage and the Blue Jays.

The Dodgers wanted to promote Andrew Heaney on Saturday to add some length to their bullpen and unfortunately it cost Klein his spot on the team’s active roster. Klein, 25, has registered a 2.35 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and a 21/10 K/BB ratio over 15 1/3 innings in 14 appearances out of the Dodgers’ bullpen this season.

With Michael Kopech heading to the injured list, Klein will get a chance to work out of the Dodgers’ bullpen for the final week of the regular season. The 25-year-old hurler owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.97 WHIP and a 15/9 K/BB ratio over 10 2/3 innings in 10 appearances with the Dodgers on the season.

Klein returns to the minors to make room for veteran reliever Blake Treinen to rejoin Los Angeles’ relief mix for Sunday’s game against the Red Sox.