Tyler Glasnow has been on the 15-day injured list since Aug. 16 due to right elbow tendinitis, which was originally believed to be relatively minor.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained at the time they put Glasnow on the IL out of an abundance of caution and believed he would be back after the minimum 15 days away from the team.
However, Glasnow had his throwing program delayed, and Roberts more recently said he would be out longer than first anticipated.
Glasnow did manage to start playing catch on Saturday, throwing from 60 feet as the first part of his rehab process, which is going to take longer than hoped.
“What I heard, it was just light catch,” Roberts said. “It’s going to be a slow process. Anyone could debate it, but from all that I’ve heard, it’s a 60 feet, it’s 90, it’s 120 it’s getting out beyond, it’s then getting on the mound.
“So I think it’s going to be a slower process than I think we all anticipated initially.”
The good news is Glasnow didn’t feel any pain or soreness in his elbow while throwing, which would have caused the Dodgers to shut him down for a longer period of time.
Even with the delayed timeline, Roberts still remains optimistic Glasnow will return before the regular season ends. “Yeah, that’s the hope,” he said.
When the Dodgers first placed Glasnow on the IL, they got pushback from the 31-year-old, who said he felt fine and didn’t think time off was necessary.
Roberts said Glasnow lobbied to make his start because his MRI and additional testing did not show any structural damage in his right elbow. The Dodgers instead chose to prioritize health and the stretch run, and they will remain cautious with him.
Tyler Glasnow likely skipping rehab assignment
Glasnow has already built his arm enough this season, which means he shouldn’t need a rehab when he returns after missing a few weeks.
“But I think with the buildup that he’s had that a couple, two, three weeks, isn’t going to cut too much into what he’s already been built up to do,” Roberts said.
However, that may change if his timeline continues to get pushed back. Even when he returns, the Dodgers will still likely limit him as he works his strength back up.
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