The Los Angeles Dodgers have spent the majority of the season absorbing seemingly endless injuries to their pitching staff and waiting for the point of getting back to better health as the postseason fast approaches.
That process began last week with Yoshinobu Yamamoto returning from the 60-day injured list. Tyler Glasnow was poised to take a big step in his recovery on Friday, but suffered a setback while warming up for a simulated game and likely won’t pitch again this year because of a right elbow sprain.
Odds are also against Clayton Kershaw returning during the regular season as he deals with left big toe inflammation caused by a bone spur.
Despite the Dodgers’ postseason rotation outlook being in disarray, manager Dave Roberts voiced continued confidence in the team, per Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“I’m still confident,” Roberts said. “I don’t think there’s one way to win a championship. I think you can look back at the teams recently and how their staffs came together and who stepped up for each team’s staff. So we’re going to have the guys we have, and I feel confident in whoever we run out there.”
In addition to Glasnow not being available for the postseason and Kershaw’s toe injury, there’s uncertainty with Gavin Stone as well. He’s on the 15-day injured list because of right shoulder inflammation that required Stone to be shut down for more than one week.
He’s expected to start playing catch during the Dodgers’ road trip, potentially as soon as Sunday. But a best-case scenario with Stone likely is he returns in time to make one start before the regular season ends on Sept. 29.
Dodgers postseason rotation options
As it currently stands, the Dodgers can only count on Jack Flaherty and Yamamoto as locks for their postseason rotation.
Beyond them is a group of options that consists of Walker Buehler, Bobby Miller, Landon Knack and potentially Justin Wrobleski. Tony Gonsolin could also factor into the equation, but in the event of an unlikely return in the playoffs, Roberts has indicated it would come as a relief pitcher.
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