A few hours before Friday’s game, the Los Angeles Dodgers were unsure if Tyler Glasnow would be placed on the 15-day injured list. The right-hander is dealing with lower back tightness and discomfort, but manager Dave Roberts said MRI results didn’t show anything of significant concern.
Roberts suggested the Dodgers planned to kick the decision down the road by starting Blake Snell on Saturday and pushing Roki Sasaki back to Monday, but just before Friday’s game, they adjusted their plans again. Glasnow landed on the IL as they made an official decision on how to proceed with the right-hander.
“We talked to Tyler, and we just felt that it was just the right thing to do,” Roberts later explained. “It was smart. Probably could have tried to pitch through it. But it’s early, and to be prudent, to be smart, play the long game, and Tyler was completely on board with that.”
The team’s official injury diagnosis for Glasnow was low back spasms, and nothing more significant came up later in the day that made them put the 32-year-old on the injured list. Instead, the Dodgers decided it would be the best move for the long term.
“Nothing changed,” Roberts said. “It was just more of the conversation that we had.”
The expectation is for Glasnow missed more than the minimum 15 days. Given the expected short stint on the IL, Roberts shared he “wouldn’t be surprised if Glasnow starts playing catch [on Saturday].”
Glasnow also shouldn’t need a rehab assignment before he returns to the rotation, but the right-hander will pitch in a simulated game or two before his next start for the Dodgers.
The two-time World Series champion has dealt with lower back issues throughout his career, and he has previously blamed it on his 6’8 stature. He has yet to miss signficant amounts of time because of those issues, and it doesn’t seem this time will be any different.
Tyler Glasnow had strong start to season
Before landing on the IL, Glasnow was looking like a potential Cy Young candidate. He has thrown 39.2 innings with a 2.72 ERA while striking out 11.12 hitters per nine and walking 2.95.
Glasnow put in a lot of work in the offseason to stay healthy, and he has done so up until this point. However, minor back issues may always be in the cards for Glasnow.
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