Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — Does anybody still have Trevor Bauer‘s number? LOL
I’m only kidding, but not by much. The Dodgers’ pitching rotation is dealing with yet another blow as rookie Gavin Stone lands on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation. Stone, 25, has been one of the most reliable arms for the team this season, posting an 11-5 record with a 3.53 ERA in 25 starts. Despite his solid year, he’s now sidelined, leaving the Dodgers’ October pitching plans looking shaky.
Tyler Glasnow is working his way back from elbow tendonitis, and while he’s hopeful to return before the playoffs, time is running out. Meanwhile, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to make his return against the Cubs, but he’s been limited to just two innings in rehab starts so far.
Clayton Kershaw, dealing with a painful bone spur in his toe, continues to play catch but has no clear return date either. And with season-ending injuries to Emmet Sheehan, River Ryan, and Dustin May, the Dodgers’ once-solid rotation now has a lot of question marks. It feels a bit like 2023, where the team limped into the playoffs having to rely on a rookie (Bobby Miller) a borderline trade acquisition (Lance Lynn) and an ailing veteran (Clayton Kershaw). As you recall, it did not go well.
Miller is still around, but is not looking good. Walker Buehler continues to work his way back from TJ surgery, but just became a whole lot more important. Landon Knack will start on Friday in place of Kershaw. No word yet on who will take Stone’s spot in the rotation this weekend. Justin Wrobleski perhaps, or maybe a bullpen game.
The team is left relying on trade deadline acquisition Jack Flaherty to lead a patchwork rotation into the postseason. It’s safe to say the Dodgers have some big decisions to make as they head into October. And then, the Dodgers need to take a long hard look at why this keeps happening to them. And what can be done to avoid it going forward.
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