The Los Angeles Dodgers were projected to head into the 2025 season with plenty of starting pitching depth as they looked to avoid a repeat of last year, but already the team is needing to tap into the options beyond their expected rotation.
Tony Gonsolin, who seemingly had the inside track to named the Dodgers’ fifth starter come Opening Day, suffered back injury while lifting weights late in Spring Training. Furthermore, Shohei Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw weren’t due to be options for the Dodgers until multiple months into the season.
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While Dustin May was the natural choice to round out of the rotation once Gonsolin wasn’t an option, now the Dodgers need to replace Blake Snell because left shoulder inflammation forced him to the 15-day injured list.
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, the Dodgers are going to recall Justin Wrobleski from Triple-A Oklahoma City:
Justin Wrobleski starts for the Dodgers tomorrow, Dave Roberts said. Landon Knack is in town, and the Dodgers need a starter Wednesday, too.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) April 7, 2025
Wrobleski is slated to start Tuesday against the Washington Nationals, which originally was Snell’s next turn in the rotation. Snell’s IL stint was backdated to April 3 but the Dodgers anticipate he will miss at least two starts.
Wrobleski was among multiple Dodgers prospects to make his MLB debut last season. The left-hander went 1-2 with a 5.70 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in eight games (six starts).
Wrobleski impressed during Spring Training as he collected nine strikeouts in 9.1 innings pitched across four Cactus League games (two starts). Wrobleski allowed two runs in his first Cactus League game before proceeding to close out the spring with 7.1 consecutive scoreless innings.
The 24-year-old then struck out three over two scoreless innings in a start against the Yomiuri Giants at the Tokyo Dome.
In his lone start for Oklahoma City so far this season, Wrobleski allowed just three hits and issued two walks over 5.2 scoreless innings. He collected three strikeouts in the outing last week.
Dodgers rotation changes
Wrobleski joining the Dodgers rotation this week adds onto more reshuffling that was already planned. Before Snell’s injury, Roberts revealed the Dodgers were going to utilize a bullpen game or rely on a spot starter in the series finale at Nationals Park.
Landon Knack appears primed to play a part in Wednesday’s game, whether as a starter or pitching bulk innings in a bullpen game.
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