The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing significant challenges with their starting pitching as they navigate an intense streak of games. This week brought mixed news for the team: while veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw is set to make his return to the mound on Saturday against the Angels, the situation worsened for Roki Sasaki, who has been placed on the injured list due to a right shoulder impingement, with no clear timeline for recovery.
Meanwhile, Blake Snell remains sidelined with no recent updates about his return timeline since he hasn’t pitched since April 3. Tyler Glasnow has begun a throwing program; however, he will need further rehabilitation, suggesting he could return by early to mid-June if all goes smoothly.
As of now, the starting rotation for the upcoming games includes:
– Yoshinobu Yamamoto
– Dustin May
– Clayton Kershaw
– Tony Gonsolin
– Landon Knack
In Sasaki’s absence, Manager Dave Roberts has indicated that the team will likely have a “bullpen game” for the matchup against the A’s, signaling an urgent need to manage their limited pitching resources effectively. Young pitchers like Ben Casparius and Matt Sauer are expected to take on more responsibilities in the bullpen due to the current injuries affecting the team’s main starters.
The Dodgers are also looking ahead to a demanding schedule that features a stretch of 19 games over 20 days, followed by another similar stretch mid-June. With already strained rotation depth, the likelihood of needing fresh arms is high. The team has recently added pitchers to the roster to alleviate the pressures from this demanding schedule.
In the face of these challenges, the Dodgers do have some depth options in Triple-A and may see other injured players, like Michael Kopech, returning soon. As the season progresses, the Dodgers’ ability to adapt to these pitching challenges will be critical to maintaining a competitive position.
This situation tests the team’s resilience and could provide opportunities for younger players to step up in significant roles. The Dodgers have navigated pitching challenges before, and with the right adjustments and the return of experienced players like Kershaw, there remains optimism for a successful season ahead.