The Los Angeles Dodgers have locked up a spot in the MLB playoffs after once again standing out as one of the best teams in baseball during the regular season. However, a myriad of pitching injuries will force some significant shuffling to the Dodgers rotation in October.
Los Angeles already ruled out Tyler Glasnow for the remainder of the season, with the All-Star pitcher joining River Ryan among the Dodgers’ top arms who are done for the year. Meanwhile, starter Clayton Kershaw is still slowly working his way back from a toe injury.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto stats (ESPN): 2.96 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 99-22 K-BB, 4.5 K-BB ratio 74 hits allowed, .228 batting average allowed, in 85 innings pitched
Fortunately for Los Angeles, rookie starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto has rejoined the Dodgers rotation and his pitch count is already at 80. He is expected to be ready to be a traditional playoff starter next month when the playoffs begin, but there’s a catch.
Speaking to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts revealed that the team will not allow Yamamoto to pitch on less than five days rest in the MLB playoffs.
“This is something that when we acquired him this is something we planned on doing. It’s kind of where we’re at. We’ve got to figure out how best to keep him fresh, sharp, prepared, number one. Then number two, fill in the pieces.”
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on the pitching plan for Yoshinobu Yamamoto
It’s particularly interesting that this was the team’s plan all along and not the end result of Yamamoto’s injury earlier this season. While it’s possible Los Angeles would’ve revisited its October plans for its rookie had it pitched a full season, that also would’ve meant a significantly higher innings count for the 26-year-old.
With Yamamoto locked into pitching on five days’ rest, the Dodgers playoff rotation needs five starters. Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler seemingly have the top three spots locked up right now. Now, the team has to find out if Landon Knack – 3.39 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 67 innings – can hold things down as the fourth starter in October.
