Los Angeles Dodgers Reveal Drastic Changes Contributing To Rash Of Pitcher Injuries

While the Los Angeles Dodgers hold a strong position atop their division, their path has been complicated by a persistent wave of pitching injuries, echoing the challenges faced during the 2024 season. Currently, two key starters, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, are on the injured list with uncertain return timelines, contributing to a total of 13 Dodgers pitchers on the IL.

Los Angeles Dodgers Pitching Coach Talks Drastic Transitions

MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves
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Pitching coach Mark Prior addressed the ongoing difficulties of managing these injury issues, which have become a recurring theme for the Dodgers in recent years. In an interview with The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, Prior described the drastic changes pitchers experience: “Because when you get up here, things change, and they change very drastically. A guy might be pitching every sixth day down there; all of a sudden, you’re expected to pitch multiple innings… That takes time to acclimate, for your body to figure out, ‘How do I do this on a daily basis,’ not just that one time.”

Prior explained the challenges pitchers face as they transition to the major league level: “When they get here to this level, sometimes they get used in different roles, and they get taxed in different ways that they might not be accustomed to… So that’s one thing that we’ve looked into, is trying to prepare, whether they’re completely relievers coming up, or they’re starters turned relievers. All those things matter, kind of like you’re on-ramping what it’s like.”

The impact of these injuries is evident in the team’s statistics. Dodgers starters have recorded the fewest innings in the league, while the bullpen leads the league in innings pitched. This trend is particularly concerning given the team’s postseason experience, where they entered with a limited number of healthy starting pitchers and an already strained bullpen.

Despite these challenges, the Dodgers remain optimistic about the second half of the season, hoping to see the return of many of their injured pitchers.

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