The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing significant challenges with their pitching rotation as a series of injuries impact key personnel. This week, right-hander Tyler Glasnow was placed on the 15-day injured list due to shoulder inflammation, and the situation appears more serious than initially indicated.
Manager Dave Roberts informed Sonja Chen of MLB.com that Glasnow will be shut down from throwing for 10 to 14 days and will undergo further evaluation at that time. This represents a shift in outlook from just two days prior.
Los Angeles Dodgers, Tyler Glasnow Shut Down For Overall Body Soreness
When Glasnow was initially placed on the IL on Monday, Roberts downplayed the severity, describing his condition as “overall body soreness” and indicating no structural damage to the shoulder. However, a shutdown period of 10 to 14 days suggests a longer absence for Glasnow. Even upon clearance to resume throwing, he would require a ramp-up period and potentially several minor league rehab starts.
Glasnow has demonstrated strong performance on a rate basis throughout his career, but has struggled to accumulate a high volume of innings. His personal best of 134 innings came last year, his ninth major league season. A history of elbow problems, including Tommy John surgery in 2021, has been a contributing factor. He has also experienced various back and oblique issues, with this current shoulder inflammation representing the latest challenge.
The Dodgers’ pitching depth, which began the season with Glasnow, Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, and Dustin May in the rotation, has been significantly thinned. Snell landed on the IL after only two starts due to shoulder inflammation, initially deemed a minor issue, but which eventually led to a shutdown due to persistent soreness. Glasnow now faces a similarly uncertain timeline following his shutdown period.
While Tony Gonsolin, who began the season on the IL with a back injury, was reinstated today, providing the club with a fourth starter alongside May, Yamamoto, and Sasaki, the team faces a demanding stretch. The Dodgers are off tomorrow, offering a brief respite, but will then play ten consecutive games.
To address the immediate needs, Ben Casparius and Yoendrys Gómez are currently in the bullpen and capable of providing multiple innings. Justin Wrobleski, Bobby Miller, Landon Knack, and Matt Sauer are currently on optional assignment but have been called up to the major league club previously and could be utilized again.
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Looking further ahead, Clayton Kershaw is currently on a rehab assignment but remains on the 60-day IL, precluding his return for several more weeks. Shohei Ohtani is expected to return to the mound at some point this season, although the Dodgers have not yet detailed how they will manage his pitching ramp-up while he continues to serve as the designated hitter. Ohtani underwent UCL surgery in late 2023 and did not pitch in 2024. He also had arthroscopic surgery on his non-throwing shoulder following the team’s World Series victory.
In the coming weeks and months, the Dodgers may see the return of Glasnow, Snell, Kershaw, and Ohtani. However, the timelines remain uncertain, and the team will need to employ creative solutions in the interim. These may include spot starts, bullpen games, or extended opportunities for depth pitchers. The Dodgers’ plan to keep Yamamoto and Sasaki on the weekly pitching schedule preferred in Japan further necessitates these flexible approaches.