The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing a challenging period as they struggle with a wave of injuries that threaten their postseason pitching depth. Manager Dave Roberts recently confirmed that right-hander Gavin Stone is "very unlikely" to return this season due to persistent shoulder soreness. This development compounds the team's ongoing challenges, as Stone has not pitched since August 31. His absence leaves a significant gap in the Dodgers' rotation, given his impressive performance over his 25 starts, boasting a 3.53 ERA (111 ERA+) and a 3.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and earning an estimated 1.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
In addition to Stone's setback, Tyler Glasnow is also dealing with injury issues, further narrowing the Dodgers' pitching options as they approach the playoffs. This situation exacerbates the loss of other key contributors, including Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, River Ryan, and Emmet Sheehan. The current rotation has been shuffled to include Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and Landon Knack, yet the team continues to grapple with uncertainty.
Speaking to the media, Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman provided an update on the efforts to manage these injuries. "I'm not sure," Friedman told MLB.com. "I'm optimistic he is going to do everything he possibly can. There's just so much unknown around it that we're going to do all we can to dominate each day, and hopefully, when he starts throwing, he can ramp up from there. It's just hard to speculate right now."
The stakes are high for the Dodgers, who currently boast an 89-62 record and hold a 3 1/2 game lead in the National League West. However, their position is precarious, with only a two-game advantage over the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL's second seed and trailing the Philadelphia Phillies by two games for the top seed. Every win or loss can significantly influence seeding and home-field advantage, making the management of their pitching dilemmas absolutely critical.
The Dodgers recently made the decision to option Bobby Miller to Triple-A after a tough outing against the Miami Marlins, where he allowed four runs on seven hits over two innings. This move underscores the volatility within the pitching staff and the need for reliable performance as the season's end looms.
Despite these challenges, the Dodgers remain focused on navigating this rough patch. The ability to adapt and strategize around their pitching setbacks will determine how effectively they can maintain their lead and position themselves for a strong postseason run. With key players like Gavin Stone and Tyler Glasnow sidelined, every game becomes a test of their depth and resilience.
As the Dodgers continue to juggle their roster and make critical decisions, the eyes of the baseball world are on them. The next few weeks will reveal if this team, laden with talent and currently burdened with injuries, can rally to secure their spot in the playoffs and potentially make a deep postseason run. Managing these adversities effectively could be the defining factor of their season.