The Dodgers were handed a major blow last week when they learned Tyler Glasnow’s season was likely over.
Glasnow was scheduled to throw a simulated game last Friday while in Atlanta. Having missed over a month, this was a pretty big checkmark for Glasnow and the Dodgers. Unfortunately, he didn’t even make it to the simulated game.
While warming up, Glasnow reportedly felt discomfort in his elbow. Based on the timeline of the season, Glasnow’s season is likely over. Obviously it isn’t official yet, but based on where we’re at in the season it seems nearly impossible for him to return.
Even before being shut down, time was running out for Glasnow. It would have been his first simulated game and it likely still would have been some time before he could have returned. Still, there was a chance we’d see him by October. Now, those chances seem all but shot.
The whole situation is weird right now. Glasnow reportedly left Atlanta and isn’t with the team. He didn’t speak with reporters. We don’t really know what is going on with him. As of now, we don’t know the severity of the injury.
I’ve accepted that we won’t see Glasnow again in 2024, but my main concern now is 2025. Hopefully whatever this issue is doesn’t require surgery and knocks him out for all of next year.
The Dodgers knew what they were getting when they acquired Glasnow. He had never thrown more than 120 innings in a single season in his career as he dealt with numerous injuries.
2024 saw him through a career-high 134 innings. It looked like he was going to make it through the season healthy. In early August, he was scratched from his start in St. Louis and placed on the IL, though the Dodgers sounded optimistic he’d return fairly quickly once the 15 days were up. They even said he lobbied to make the start but they were just being cautious.
Yeah, they were wrong again about a player injury.
Considering the current state of LA’s rotation, this is a massive blow. Glasnow was pitching like someone who was going to earn Cy Young votes. He was phenomenal for LA this season. Now, they will be without one of their top arms. So, with Glasnow out, where does that leave the Dodgers’ rotation?
Well, thank goodness they went out and acquired Jack Flaherty because I’m not sure where this team would be without him. Not only has he been great since being acquired at the deadline, he’s been a reliable arm you can slot into your rotation every fifth day.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is back, but he’s still being built back up. He’s gone four innings in each of his first two starts since returning from the IL. He did throw 72 pitches last night, so he’s continuing to build his arm back up. By the time October gets here, he should be able to make it to 100 pitches.
The issue with Yamamoto is that the Dodgers aren’t going to pitch him on short rest in October, or even regular rest. Yamamoto gets extra rest for all of his starts, which might complicate things in October.
Yamamoto has yet to start on four days rest. He’s started on five days rest nine times, six days rest three times and seven days rest just once.
Looking ahead to October, things could get tricky. Game 1 of the NLDS is October 5. Based on how his schedule normally looks, Yamamoto wouldn’t pitch again until October 11, which would be Game 5 if it was needed.
Hopefully the offense shows up, so going to a Game 5 wouldn’t be needed!
Well, the Dodgers have two of their starters. Who are the other two going to be? That’s a GREAT question.
Gavin Stone was placed on the IL two weeks ago with shoulder inflammation. He’s expected to throw at some point this week, so the Dodgers will know more once they see how he looks. Based on the timeline, it’s tough to expect a return from Stone. Even if this weekend goes well, there are so many boxes he’ll still need to check. Maybe if the Dodgers advance deep into October he’ll be able to return, but his status for the NLDS seems in doubt.
Stone’s injury hurt because he was the only starter who stayed healthy all season. He was posting fantastic numbers and was a consistent presence in the rotation. I know Glasnow gets all the attention and rightfully so, but losing Stone was a brutal blow.
Clayton Kershaw showed flashes of dominance after he returned from the IL, but he has missed two weeks with a toe injury. He’s keeping his arm loose, but he still hasn’t been able to get off a mound so his return is in question as well.
Enter Walker Buehler, who is in the discussion because he’s one of a handful of arms currently healthy. 2024 has been rough for Buehler, who returned from his second Tommy John surgery. The numbers haven’t been pretty, but Buehler has showed signs of life in his recent starts.
He had arguably his best start of the season this weekend in Atlanta, allowing only one run in six innings on three hits. He did struggle with command, as he issued five walks, but Buehler looked really good over his final four frames.
His previous start against the Cubs was rough, but prior to that he had two starts in which he posted a 3.72 ERA and had 10 strikeouts and only three walks in 10 innings. That makes three of four starts where Buehler has looked solid, something the Dodgers could really use from their No. 3 postseason starter.
The No. 4 spot is where things could get tricky. I really don’t know who it could be. My best guess is that the Dodgers go with a bullpen game. Maybe have Landon Knack try and give them 3-4 innings and turn things over to the bullpen the rest of the way.
Tony Gonsolin is potentially an option, as he’s been rehabbing in Oklahoma City. How much trust do you want to put into a guy coming off Tommy John surgery who hasn’t pitched in a year-and-a-half, though?
The Dodgers just don’t have any reliable or trustworthy options for that fourth game. Knack is probably their best choice, but throwing a rookie out there to pitch innings in what could be a crucial Game 4 would be a risk.
Again, if the Dodgers can just win all their games this won’t be much of an issue. But what happens if the Dodgers are trailing 2-1 entering Game 4 and it’s a bullpen game? Yikes!
The good news is that the rotation is in better shape than they were last year at this time, though not by much. Losing Glasnow and Stone is brutal, considering the Dodgers would have had their four starters right there. That’s baseball for ya.
Having two aces in Flaherty and Yamamoto is still a luxury. Those two should be able to help carry LA. It’s the other two games where things will get tricky.
Like I mentioned earlier, the Dodgers can avoid all of these issues by pitching lights out and having the bats guide them to comfortable victories!
What do you think about the Dodgers using an opener for some of the games and piggybacking it with one of our younger starters; Landon Knack or Wrobleski perhaps?
This might sound like a desperate move, but how about bringing in Dick Mountain? I know it's a long shot, and I'm sure the Dodgers' front office has considered it, but who knows—this could be the Cinderella story we've been waiting for. Go Dodgers! 🙏🤞