Tyler Glasnow is making subtle adjustments to his pitching delivery this offseason, aiming to enhance his consistency and durability in his second season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The focus is on finding a balance that allows his natural athleticism to shine, rather than getting bogged down in excessive mechanics. “I think he gets too mechanical at times and [doesn’t] let his natural athleticism, ability, and compete drive his outing,” manager Dave Roberts observed before Saturday’s game. “And I think this spring, that’s where he’s been. … He’s freed himself up a lot more this spring.”
Expectations are high for the Dodgers’ star-studded rotation, featuring Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, and Glasnow. The sheer talent within this group has sparked discussions about its potential to rank among baseball’s greatest rotations, provided they can maintain their health throughout the season. When the Dodgers acquired and extended Glasnow, they were aware of his history of durability concerns. His first season with the team saw him pitch a career-high 134 innings across 22 starts, but it ended prematurely due to right elbow tendinitis.
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Despite missing the postseason, Glasnow played a crucial role in stabilizing an injury-plagued rotation. “I think he’s frustrated at the way it ended last year, more so because he wanted to be on the field and [help] us compete and win games,” pitching coach Mark Prior said. “Let’s not kid ourselves — he helped us win a lot of games through the course of the season. … I think coming into this year, there was a fresh perspective.”
Los Angeles Dodgers: Tyler Glasnow Seeking Specialist To Improve Mechanics
To address his durability, Glasnow consulted with biomechanical specialists, both within and outside the Dodgers organization, and identified a need to adjust his spine angle. This adjustment helps prevent him from “flying open” during his delivery, reducing stress on his elbow. He describes it as a healthier way to achieve extension, an area where he already excels, ranking in the 99th percentile among MLB pitchers in 2024.
Unlike more extensive overhauls, this adjustment has been relatively easy for Glasnow to implement. “I feel like I’m not even doing it,” he said. “Then I go look at video, and it’s good. It’s not perfect, but it’s different enough. It’s not a huge adjustment to where it’s easy to see on film anyway, but I feel better.”
Last season, Glasnow experienced arm discomfort after starts, leading to an injured list stint in August and an eventual shutdown in September. “After starts, and actually sometimes during starts,” Roberts explained, “he just didn’t feel comfortable with his arm. … Right now, it’s really free and easy.”
Following a period of rest and targeted off-season work, Glasnow reports feeling healthy. He is scheduled for at least one more start in Japan before the regular season begins. With three spring starts completed, he has observed positive results from his offseason adjustments. “I think I recover better,” Glasnow said. “It’s still early; it’s hard to say. But I do feel good.”