Dodgers News: Dodgers Prioritize Health, Request Tyler Glasnow to Increase Weight Ahead of 2026 Season

GLENDALE, AZ—The 2026 Major League Baseball season has offically begun (kinda) with the start of Spring Training play in both the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues.

For the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, they have their eyes on a rare three-peat, a feat that has not been done in baseball in over 25 years. However, todo that, they’ll need health on their side, including Tyler Glasnow, who has struggled with the injury bug throughout his professional career.

According to Dylan Hernández of the California Post, Glasnow revealed in an interview that the team had asked him to put on some additional weight this offseason, following a similar meal plan to the one Gavin Stone and River Ryan followed as they progressed through their rehab.

“They were, like, ‘If you add some more fat, it kind of binds into your tissue a little bit better,’” Glasnow said. “I tried it, and I felt a lot better.”

He now walks around at 240-plus pounds, up from his traditional playing weight in the 220s. By one measure, his body fat has increased from 5% to more than 9%.

“I feel good at (a lower) weight,” Glasnow said. “I just think it’s hard to go through a full season like that. It’s good to have some weight to play with.”

Glasnow’s injury history is well known, and the Dodgers knew what they were possibly signing up for when they traded for him during the 2024 offseason, along with handing him a multi-year contract extension.

Glasnow set career highs in innings pitched and starts during his first year in Los Angeles, but a season-ending elbow injury forced the right-hander to miss the 2024 postseason.

Last season, Glasnow was limited to just 90.1 innings but returned in the second half and contributed to the Dodgers in October, helping the team secure its second straight World Series title from the rotation and a few bullpen appearances.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remains confident in Glasnow’s ability, sharing earlier this spring that he could be in the conversation for the National League Cy Young award as he reiterated he’s one of the best pitchers in the NL.

“I think as he’s kind of taken another step, (and) with the talent that he has, he should be in the conversation — and I would expect him to say the same thing — with the best pitchers in the National League.”

Now Glasnow hopes to miss less time and pitch in October again, but the Dodgers will keep a close eye on his health throughout the 2026 season.

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