The Los Angeles Dodgers began the 2025 season with a rotation hailed as one of baseball’s deepest. But by midsummer, the once-formidable staff is being held together by depth, innovation, and sheer determination.
Injuries to Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, and Shohei Ohtani (limited to hitting) have exposed the Dodgers’ vulnerabilities. With their rotation ERA now ranking 22nd in the league and a bullpen taxed with the most innings in baseball, Los Angeles has been forced to adapt daily.
Dodgers Facing Limited Trade Pool As MLB Trade Deadline Draws Nye
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And just as the trade deadline nears, two high-profile targets appear to be coming off the market. According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, “Milwaukee’s Freddy Peralta and Minnesota’s Joe Ryan have also been floated as possible trade chips, though sources said the two right-handers are unlikely to be moved before the Deadline.”
That’s a major blow for the Dodgers, who are actively hunting rotation reinforcements. Peralta, in particular, was seen as a perfect fit — a frontline starter with a 2.77 ERA under team control through 2026. But Milwaukee appears intent on holding him unless overwhelmed. Joe Ryan, meanwhile, has been dominant with a 2.72 ERA and 0.91 WHIP, yet Twins insiders suggest a deal is only likely if Minnesota falls completely out of the race.
With the clock ticking, the Dodgers’ front office — led by Andrew Friedman — is working to plug holes and manage the arms they still have. Glasnow returned briefly in July, offering a glimpse of stability, while Snell is on a rehab assignment but still weeks away. Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin have rejoined the rotation, but only Yamamoto has consistently excelled.
In the meantime, the bullpen continues to shoulder the burden, and creative scheduling has helped delay the need for another starter. Spot starts, openers, and roster shuffling are the new norm. Los Angeles acquired relievers J.P. Feyereisen and Ryan Loutos for depth, but the lack of elite trade targets presents a bigger challenge.
As Friedman put it, “The definition of enough depth is a fool’s errand. I don’t know what enough depth means. I think more is always better with pitching.”
For now, the Dodgers will have to make do — and hope their injury luck finally turns. Because unless another arm becomes available, the cavalry may not be coming.