Cody Snavely
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who spent all offseason retooling their starting rotation, are having their first bullpen game not even two weeks into the season. However, with Walker Buehler‘s impending return in the coming weeks, should the Dodgers consider a six-man rotation?
Why a six-man rotation makes sense
The Dodgers’ idea of a six-man rotation is nothing new this season, as our very own Steve Webb pitched the idea a few months back. With the numerous health and workload concerns with their starting staff, the idea of a six-man rotation made sense then, and it definitely makes sense now.
Unlike last season, when the Dodgers’ pitching depth at the Major League level was thin, this year it is one of the deepest in the league when healthy. Walker Buehler, who started his first rehab assignment on Sunday, pitched 3 1/3 innings, giving up 3 H, 2 BB, 3 R (3 ER), 1 HR, and 2 Ks (54 pitches/31 strikes). He hit 95.7 mph with his four-seamer and threw the whole mix.
Once he returns to the Dodgers, they will have six solid starters at their disposal, and if Gavin Stone is pitching well in the rotation, it will be hard to take him out of that role and option him to the minors or bullpen.
The idea of a six-man rotation helps everyone as it gives plenty of rest between starts, helping with the workload of a long 162-game season.
Buehler is recovering from his second career, Tommy John Surgery, Tyler Glasnow has health concerns and pitched a career-high 120 innings in 2023, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto was already used to a six-man rotation in the NPB.
Speaking of Yamamoto, the Dodgers have already been overly cautious in making sure he gets rest between starts. Yamamoto was the Dodgers’ number two starter in Korea, but after giving up five runs in one inning while throwing over 45 pitches, the Dodgers pushed his start back to the third game of the four-game set against the Cardinals.
The Dodgers also pushed everyone back in the rotation with tonight’s bullpen game against the Giants, emphasizing that they need the extra rest so the starters can go deeper into games.
I wouldn’t say it’s threading a needle, but you have to get some length from your starters; Having guys on your roster that can go multiples (innings) is certainly helpful. And what Yarbs did for us the other night, what we expect him to do tomorrow night, it certainly allows us a lot of flexibility.
via Dave Roberts to Bill Plunkett Orange County Register
The idea of pushing Buehler and Glasnow to 200 innings seems slim due to their past injury history and willingness to have them at full strength come October.
Yamamoto pitched 150-200 innings in the last three seasons in Japan and could reach a similar number as fellow Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga did in his first season in the Show with 166 innings of work.
What would a six-man rotation look like?
Once Walker Buehler returns to the mound, the Dodgers will have six legit arms to send throughout the week. While the Dodgers will limit innings, the rotation could look like this in a few weeks:
- Tyler Glasnow
- Bobby Miller
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto
- Gavin Stone
- Walker Buehler
- James Paxton (LHP)
The Dodgers can get creative with the rotation and the bullpen giving Michael Grove and Ryan Yarbrough spot starts as well.
However, the idea of bullpen games should be over when you’re a team with a payroll well north of $300 million.
More reinforcements in the Summer?
While Buehler is the first potential arm to return from the IL for the starting rotation, the Dodgers also anticipate multiple starters returning from the 60-day IL this season.
Emmet Sheehan, who the Dodgers placed on the 60-day IL to make room for Nabil Crismatt on the 40-man roster, is expected to be back at some point. However, the reports of fatigue and forearm tightness are less than ideal.
Clayton Kershaw is progressing further than the Dodgers anticipated. He was seen throwing up to 120 feet prior to Opening Day. Kershaw stated that the plan is to hopefully ramp up his throwing and get on a mound in May. Kershaw and the Dodgers are preparing for a July/August return for the veteran left-hander, who is entering his 17th season of his career.
Dustin May is another arm the Dodgers could expect back at some point this year. May was diagnosed in 2023 with a right flexor pronator strain that would require another major surgery. However, May began his throwing program before the Dodgers reported to camp in Arizona in February and hopes to come back in August or September.
While Sheehan and Kershaw would rejoin the rotation, May would likely be placed in the bullpen if he recovers from his rehab in time.
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