For a second straight year the Los Angeles Dodgers began Spring Training with a surplus of starting pitchers. Though, that of course proved to be a moot point in 2016 as injuries depleted the depth throughout camp and the regular season.
At present time the Dodgers’ rotation is comprised of three locks — Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill and Kenta Maeda — and a slew of options to fill out the remaining 40 percent. Unlike last year when Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu were recovering from their respective surgeries, the pitching staff is largely healthy.
Considering Ryu is coming off another lost season, he represents the biggest question mark. While the Dodgers appear to have enough depth to do so, manager Dave Roberts ruled out the possibility of the club using a six-man starting rotation, according to Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA:
Roberts said a 6 man rotation isn't an option. #Dodgers
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) February 17, 2017
When previously discussing the excess of starters, Roberts conceded it was plausible Scott Kazmir or McCarthy would wind up in the bullpen.
That being said, the more likely candidate may be Alex Wood, who fared well in the role after returning last season from arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow. But Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Wood is in camp as a starting pitcher.
As it stands, Kazmir, McCarthy, Ryu, Brock Stewart and Ross Stripling figure to be the group competing to round out the rotation. While Julio Urias seemingly is on the outside looking in, with the Dodgers considering means to limit his innings this season.
Although Los Angeles won’t go to a set, six-man starting rotation, the club could in theory use a sixth or seventh starter at various stretches by utilizing the 10-day disabled list.
