At the start of the 2024 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers appeared to have more pitchers than they needed. By the time they reached the World Series, they were relying on bullpen games because they had a thin starting rotation due to injuries. During the last offseason, they vowed to find answers to their numerous pitching injuries.
Fast forward to spring training this year, and Los Angeles had enough arms to run with a six-man rotation if they chose. This would help Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki have the five days’ rest with which they are accustomed. However, by May, they are shuttling pitchers to and from Oklahoma City almost every other day because half their starting rotation was on the injured list. Furthermore, the timelines keep changing for their return. Here are the three most recent examples.
Dodgers’ Timelines Keep Changing for Pitching Injuries
When Would Shohei Pitch?
There were rumors flying last year that Shohei Ohtani (Tommy John surgery in 2023) might pitch in October should the Dodgers need him. However, that didn’t pan out, and Ohtani suspended his throwing program so his full attention could be placed on his offense. He was scheduled to resume during the offseason. In spring training, it became even less clear. Ohtani wasn’t sure when he would be pitching on a big league mound for the Dodgers. Manager Dave R0berts said it would be the month of May. Ohtani’s first outing was last week.
The Oft-Injured Ace
Tyler Glasnow was everything the Dodgers thought he would be in the first half of 2024. He led the league in strikeouts and had an ERA around 3. However, after pitching just over 140 innings, Glasnow was shelved for the rest of the year with a sprained elbow. Attempting to make himself more durable, he tinkered with his mechanics to take pressure off the elbow. Glasnow has been on the IL with shoulder inflammation since late April.
After his first bullpen session in an attempt to return, manager Dave Roberts said the left-hander experienced some “soreness” and was hesitant to provide a timeline for his return. However, Glasnow indicated he was fine and not concerned when asked about his progress later that night. Last week, Glasnow threw two innings in a simulated game, after which Roberts declared that his ace was in”a very good spot.” The starter went two scoreless innings at Triple-A Oklahoma City yesterday. He is scheduled to go for at least two more rehab outings. If all goes well, Glasnow could return to the rotation in July.
Curiouser and Curiouser
Dodger rookie Roki Sasaki has been out since May 9th with a shoulder impingement. Initially, the right-hander was playing catch, but according to Roberts, “didn’t feel comfortable” and the throwing program was halted. Last week, the prognosis was so bleak that Roberts said the Dodgers “should plan” to be without Sasaki for the rest of 2025. However, within 24 hours, the message had drastically changed. The Dodgers manager said that the rookie had a cortisone shot and they looked forward to seeing him on the mound later this year. Sasaki was throwing from 60 to 90 feet yesterday. Who knows what to think?
Is There a Method to the Mixed Messages?
Is it possible that the Dodgers use so many arms during the season because, in a day where high-velocity, high-leverage arms are at a premium, they know that the mechanics of their pitchers lead to a high risk of injury? And as a result, they limit how many innings their high-leverage pitchers throw so they will be ready when they need them most at the most pivotal point in the season, namely, after the All-Star break? It may be a logical explanation.
