Despite fielding one of baseball’s deepest and most well-run teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been hit hard by a recurring nemesis: pitching injuries. As of early June, 15 pitchers are on the injured list—including key starters Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and prized rookie Roki Sasaki. Shohei Ohtani, meanwhile, remains limited to designated hitter duties as he works back from elbow surgery.
Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes isn’t ignoring the problem—but he’s also not panicking. In a conversation with The New York Post’s Jon Heyman, Gomes acknowledged that while the rash of injuries is alarming, it isn’t unique to L.A. “It’s obviously an ‘us’ problem,” he said, “but it’s also across the industry, unfortunately.”
Much of the focus has shifted to how the Dodgers transition pitchers from the minors to the majors—an inflection point where injury risk appears to spike. “We’ve done a good job of keeping minor leaguers healthy,” Gomes said. “It’s when they get to the big leagues that the intensity amplifies.”
Los Angeles Dodgers Expect In-House Pitchers To Be Sufficient For Playoff Run Ahead Of MLB Trade Deadline
Despite the injury toll, Gomes isn’t ready to dive into the trade market—at least not yet. “With the information we have, and where the guys are now and progressing, the expectation is we will have all we need in-house,” he said. That includes not only Snell, Glasnow, and Gonsolin but also the eventual return of Ohtani to the mound. The three-time MVP recently threw a 29-pitch live batting practice and is scheduled for another session soon.
Of course, there may be a bit of gamesmanship in Gomes’ comments. It’s also worth noting they came before Tony Gonsolin was added to the injured list. Any additional setbacks—or new injuries—over the next six weeks could quickly shift the Dodgers’ stance and reignite the urgency to pursue outside reinforcements.
Meanwhile, right-hander Emmet Sheehan is also nearing a return. More than a year removed from Tommy John surgery, the 25-year-old has shown encouraging velocity and command during his rehab starts.
Still, there’s a level of uncertainty. Gonsolin’s recent injury and the fragile nature of rehabbing arms leave room for contingency. But for now, the Dodgers are betting on internal reinforcements rather than a trade deadline splash—a bold move that, if successful, could reinforce their reputation as MLB’s most resilient contender.
The 2025 MLB Trade Deadline is Thursday, July 31st at 3 p.m. PST.