The Los Angeles Dodgers made another rotation adjustment Friday, recalling left-hander Justin Wrobleski from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioning right-hander Landon Knack ahead of their series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
The move was foreshadowed a day earlier when manager Dave Roberts indicated Wrobleski would get the start Friday. Initially, the Dodgers were weighing a bullpen game, but Knack’s brief and inefficient outing against the New York Mets on Thursday—just 3.1 innings on 86 pitches—made the decision for them.
This will mark Wrobleski’s fourth stint with the big league club this season. Though he didn’t pitch during his first call-up in March during the Tokyo Series, he’s logged two appearances since: a disastrous spot start on April 8 in Washington where he surrendered eight runs in five innings, and a much stronger four-inning relief outing in May against the Oakland Athletics, where he allowed just one hit and no runs to earn his first win.
Los Angeles Dodgers Turn to Justin Wrobleski for Spot Start, Option Landon Knack Following Rough Outing
In nine big-league innings this season, the 24-year-old has posted an 8.00 ERA with eight strikeouts and a 1.33 WHIP. Though small in sample size, he has shown some promise. However, a declining fastball velocity—from 95.1 mph in 2024 to 94.2 mph this year—adds a layer of concern moving forward.
Wrobleski, ranked as the Dodgers’ No. 10 prospect by MLB Pipeline, has also had an up-and-down season at Triple-A Oklahoma City. Through eight starts, he owns a 5.09 ERA and 1.60 WHIP with 37 strikeouts and 22 walks across 40 2/3 innings. He last pitched on Saturday in Las Vegas, allowing five earned runs over four innings and will be on five days’ rest entering Friday’s game.
With the Dodgers in the midst of a 13-game stretch without an off day, Wrobleski’s presence may extend beyond Friday’s outing. He could factor into the pitching plans again as early as Wednesday in San Diego, depending on how the club manages its rotation—which is currently set with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dustin May, Clayton Kershaw, and Tony Gonsolin through Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Knack heads back to Triple-A after an up-and-down five-week stretch in the rotation, largely due to the Dodgers’ injury issues. The 27-year-old right-hander is 3-2 with a 5.12 ERA across nine appearances (seven starts) this season. While he showed flashes of effectiveness—most notably a 3.71 ERA in May—his command has been inconsistent. Thursday’s outing against the Mets was particularly rough: three home runs allowed, five walks issued, and just 3.1 innings pitched.
“It’s just about getting behind guys,” Knack said postgame. “You get behind, you’ve got to come back in the zone, and they can do damage.”
Knack’s struggles with home runs (10 allowed in 38.2 innings) and walks (18) have undercut his solid strikeout rate (35) and made his spot in the rotation vulnerable. Despite that, his ability to give the Dodgers innings when needed means he could be back before long.
With the returns of relievers Kirby Yates and Michael Kopech from the injured list expected this weekend, the Dodgers’ roster shuffle is likely not over. Ryan Loutos, one of the few bullpen arms with options remaining, may be the odd man out. Wrobleski, for his part, will get at least one more opportunity to prove he belongs.
As the Dodgers continue navigating injuries and workload management, every start—and every roster move—carries weight. Friday’s game in St. Louis is more than a spot start for Wrobleski. It’s a test of depth, development, and resilience for a pitching staff trying to stay afloat in a demanding stretch of the season.