The Los Angeles Dodgers were unable to extend their season-best eight-game winning streak on Saturday as Tyler Glasnow turned in an inconsistent start against the Miami Marlins.
The right-hander did not appear comfortable throughout the first inning as he continued to stretch and go into a crouch between pitches. He managed to escape a bases-loaded jam without allowing any runs, but needed 25 pitches to do so.
Seeing Glasnow appear uncomfortable naturally raised some concern given the lengthy time he spent on the injured list because of a back issue.
“It feels good,” he said on SportsNet LA. “Just figuring some stuff out.”
Glasnow continued to struggle with his command in the second inning as a leadoff walk was followed by Graham Pauley hitting a game-tying home run. He then gave up three consecutive singles with two outs that allowed the Marlins take a 3-2 lead.
Glasnow bounced back by retiring seven batters in a row, but his troubles resurfaced in the bottom of the fifth. He was removed after issuing back-to-back walks and ultimately got charged for a fourth run.
“I was kind of off from the beginning,” Glasnow said of his feel. “I tried to stay in rhythm and battle back, and I think the third and fourth, I felt good. And then kind of lost it in the fifth. But I thought it got better as the game went on. I’m just kind of struggling to find it right now.”
Glasnow downplayed the notion that he is nursing with an injury and attributed his struggles to poor mechanics.
“I just think it was bad timing,” Glasnow explained. “Trying to get on time was hard to find today. Every pitch was kind of off.”
Saturday was a second consecutive start in which Glasnow allowed four earned runs. He’s also walked seven batters over that span.
“I think with anyone, sometimes you’re good, timed up and feel good,” Glasnow noted. “And there’s other times you have to make adjustments and figure out how to get people out that day. I’m just kind of in that phase right now.”
Dave Roberts doesn’t see Tyler Glasnow injury
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged that Glasnow wasn’t sharp against the Marlins but wasn’t able to offer specifics on whatever physical issue may have been a factor.
“He just couldn’t get his rhythm,” Roberts said. “You could see he was fighting himself all game. I know he didn’t feel great coming into the game as far as overall body, but I don’t know what specifically. After that second inning, I thought it was great coming back and competing like he did.
“For me, walking those first two hitters in that fifth inning, I just thought it was time to pull the plug.”
Despite struggling in his last two starts, Roberts does not believe Glasnow is dealing with any serious injury.
“No, no. I don’t think it was one of those things that is something that’s longer term at all,” Roberts said. “I don’t know if it was travel or he’s obviously a big-bodied guy, so there’s a lot of big moving parts. Sometimes if they get out of whack a little bit, it’s hard to just sync everything up.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
