The Los Angeles Dodgers entered 2025 with a rotation brimming with star power and expectation. Yet, as the season unfolded, two of their most prominent arms, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, landed on the injured list, leaving a void that could have derailed lesser teams.
Instead, the Dodgers have navigated a maze of setbacks, leveraging depth, adaptability, and strategic ingenuity.
This article explores how Los Angeles has managed to stay afloat, examining the roles of emerging starters, the bullpen’s heavy lifting, and the front office’s calculated decisions.
Through adversity, the Dodgers’ approach offers a compelling case study in resilience and resourcefulness, with implications that stretch beyond a single season.
From Star-Studded to Scrambling: The Dodgers’ Rotation in Flux
The Dodgers’ 2025 campaign began with a rotation many considered among the league’s best. Snell, a two-time Cy Young winner, and Glasnow, fresh off a 3.49 ERA season and 168 strikeouts in 134 innings, were expected to anchor the staff.
However, both pitchers succumbed to shoulder inflammation by late April, joining an already crowded injured list that included Roki Sasaki and Shohei Ohtani, who was limited to hitting duties.
With four of five planned starters sidelined, Los Angeles faced a daunting test of its pitching depth and organizational flexibility.
Creative Scheduling and the Five-Man Solution
Initially, the Dodgers planned to deploy a six-man rotation to manage workloads, especially for international stars Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Sasaki, who were used to extra rest in Japan. Injuries forced a pivot to a five-man staff, maximizing the benefit of early-season off days and allowing the team to carry an eighth reliever.
President Andrew Friedman cited the schedule’s built-in rest as a key factor, delaying the need for a sixth starter until Ohtani’s return. This approach preserved arms and created opportunities for pitchers like Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin, returning from injury, to compete for rotation spots.
Bullpen Overdrive: Relievers Shoulder the Load
With starters dropping, the Dodgers’ bullpen became the backbone of the pitching staff. By early May, Los Angeles relievers led the league in pitched innings, a testament to necessity and depth.
The front office responded by acquiring right-handers J.P. Feyereisen and Ryan Loutos to reinforce the group. Fans and bettors have noticed that as the bullpen became central to the team’s survival, fluctuations in LA Dodgers odds reflected the uncertainty surrounding their long-term stamina and effectiveness.
Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the challenge of preventing bullpen fatigue, emphasizing the need to avoid overtaxing relievers during the long season. This strategy required constant shuffling, spot starts, and creative use of openers, all while maintaining competitive performance.
Emerging Arms and the Next-Man-Up Mentality
The Dodgers’ organizational depth has been tested repeatedly. As Snell and Glasnow worked through rehab assignments, pitchers like Justin Wrobleski and Emmet Sheehan stepped into starting roles. Tony Gonsolin, activated from the injured list, provided stability, while Dustin May’s return after Tommy John surgery added another layer of resilience.
Even with these reinforcements, the team continued to rely on bullpen games and spot starters, highlighting the importance of flexibility and readiness throughout the roster.
Managing Uncertainty: Updates on Snell and Glasnow
As of July, Snell and Glasnow remain on the injured list, with their returns uncertain but eagerly anticipated. Glasnow, who missed over two months, returned to pitch five innings of one-run ball in early July, offering hope for a more stable rotation.
Snell, sidelined for three months with shoulder issues, began a rehab assignment, signaling progress but not guaranteeing immediate impact. The Dodgers’ medical staff and coaching team closely monitor both pitchers’ recoveries, balancing the need for reinforcements with a cautious approach to avoid setbacks.
The Broader Impact: Offense, Defense, and Championship Aspirations
While pitching injuries have dominated headlines, the Dodgers’ offense has also experienced slumps, scoring just 10 runs during a recent six-game losing streak. The team’s ability to “tread water” has depended on timely hitting and defensive execution, as well as the leadership of veterans like Miguel Rojas.
With the rotation in flux, every aspect of the roster has been called upon to contribute. The Dodgers’ experience in 2024, winning a World Series despite a battered staff, reinforces their belief in grit, depth, and adaptability as keys to sustained success.
Analytics and Innovation: The Dodgers’ Edge in Pitcher Development
The Dodgers’ ability to weather a barrage of injuries is rooted in more than just roster depth; it’s a testament to their sophisticated use of analytics and player development.
The organization has become a leader in translating complex data into actionable strategies for pitchers. Concepts like pitch tunneling, sequencing, and pitch shape optimization are not just theoretical but are integrated into daily routines and game plans.
Coaches break down advanced metrics into digestible insights, empowering veterans and young arms to adjust quickly.
This analytical edge is matched by a commitment to innovative recovery and workload management programs, designed to keep arms healthy through the grind of a 162-game season. The Dodgers have created a sustainable model for developing and maintaining elite pitching talent by leveraging technology and sports science.
Chemistry, Leadership, and the Human Factor
While numbers and strategy drive many decisions, the intangible elements of clubhouse chemistry and leadership have also played a pivotal role in the Dodgers’ resilience.
The constant churn of the rotation and bullpen could easily disrupt team cohesion, yet veteran leaders like Clayton Kershaw and Mookie Betts have helped maintain focus and morale. Their presence offers stability for younger players thrust into high-pressure roles.
The coaching staff has fostered a culture where adaptability is celebrated and every contributor feels valued, regardless of service time or pedigree. This environment has allowed prospects like Justin Wrobleski to blossom and veterans to reinvent themselves. The Dodgers’ approach demonstrates that, even in a data-driven era, the human side of the game remains essential for weathering adversity and sustaining success.
Looking Ahead: Lessons in Resilience and the Road to October
The Dodgers’ patchwork rotation has preserved their season and revealed the value of organizational depth and strategic flexibility.
As Snell and Glasnow work toward full health, Los Angeles continues to adapt, using every available arm and off-day to its advantage. The experience gained by younger pitchers and the bullpen’s endurance could prove invaluable come October, when fresh arms and battle-tested resilience are at a premium.
For contenders across baseball, the Dodgers’ response to adversity offers a blueprint: invest in depth, plan for the unexpected, and never underestimate the power of adaptability.
