The Los Angeles Dodgers entered October with a wealth of starting pitching options, and that depth has already paid dividends. Right-hander Tyler Glasnow, who missed last year’s postseason with an elbow injury, made his long-awaited Dodgers playoff debut in a surprising role: out of the bullpen.
Glasnow relieved Shohei Ohtani in Saturday’s 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the NLDS, recording five outs across 1 2/3 innings. He struck out two, walked two, allowed a single, and escaped without surrendering a run. The appearance marked his first postseason relief outing since 2018.
“It definitely felt weird, but also fun,” Glasnow admitted. “You kind of have more things going, don’t need as much effort to get the same stuff. The adrenaline boost was different. I kind of enjoyed it.”
A Role in Transition
Support Local and Independent Sports Writing – Subscribe To the LAFB Network Today!
Despite the unconventional debut, manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Glasnow remains on track to start Game 4—if the series extends that far. The Dodgers hold a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five matchup, and Glasnow will have four full days of rest before Thursday’s potential start.
The 32-year-old finished the regular season strong, posting a 3.19 ERA with 106 strikeouts across 90.1 innings in 18 starts. After returning from a midseason injury in July, he logged a 2.86 ERA over his final 13 outings, holding opponents to a .177 batting average.
Long Road Back
Subscribe to LAFB Network’s YouTube Channel
Glasnow was a key piece of the Dodgers’ rotation in 2024 before an elbow injury cut his season short. That setback kept him out of the club’s World Series run, making Saturday’s relief stint his first true postseason action in Dodger blue.
“I was in the bathroom when the phone rang, and they yelled my name,” Glasnow joked. “I ran up and warmed up. It definitely felt weird, but it’s good to face them early in a situation like that and then just be ready for the start.”
Dodgers’ Rotation Depth
Los Angeles has leaned on its embarrassment of riches, moving multiple starters—including Glasnow, Emmet Sheehan, and even Clayton Kershaw—into flexible bullpen roles this October. Ohtani, Blake Snell, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have lined up as the primary rotation pieces.
Glasnow’s cameo showed both his adaptability and the Dodgers’ willingness to experiment. Whether his next outing comes in relief again or in a Game 4 start, Los Angeles knows it can count on him to provide quality innings in whatever role is needed.
Vote For Your Favorite Dodgers Duo: Ohtani – Yamamoto, Betts – Freeman, Hernandez – Hernandez
