The Los Angeles Dodgers have lost two starting pitchers in Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, neither of which have a firm timetable to return.
More news: Dodgers Announce Massive Roster Move, Acquiring 2 Pitchers And Placing 2 More on 60-Day IL
The question many are asking is whether the injuries to the rotation will propel the Dodgers to bring Shohei Ohtani back to the mound sooner than planned. Manager Dave Roberts answered the looming question surrounding Ohtani’s long-awaited return in emphatic fashion.
“No, no, not at all,” Roberts said. “I think Shohei is separate as far as the process. I think it was (GM Brandon Gomes) who said it yesterday maybe — it’s a week-to-week thing and I just don’t really know. But the availability of the other pitchers has no bearing on Shohei’s program.”
Roberts had previously said Ohtani’s pitching debut is still months away, and some insiders have speculated Ohtani will not take the mound until after the All-Star break. The Dodgers have made it abundantly clear that the priority is for Ohtani to be able to pitch in the second half of the season and in October.
As for what the Dodgers plan on doing in light of recent pitching injuries, Roberts did reveal the team will at least have a conversation with Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki about pitching more frequently.
Currently, both pitchers are on a once a week schedule. However, due to the loss of Glasnow and Snell, Yamamato’s and Sasaki’s schedules would be hard to maintain.
Aside from the injuries, another concerning trend is the usage of the bullpen. The Dodgers bullpen currently leads the league in innings, an indication that L.A. starters are not taking on the appropriate amount of frames necessary to avoid overworking the bullpen.
It appears the Dodgers have several questions to answer in the coming weeks.
More news: Dodgers Could Change Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki Schedules Amid Injury Issues
Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
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2 Responses
One way to address the problem is to have a 14 man pitching staff, with Ohtani being # 14. That could reduce the number of bullpen games and thereby reduce the number of innings relievers pitch. They should not delay this. The delay is hurting the relief pitchers.
As we saw with Buehler, it’s an awful idea to rush a pitcher back from TJ surgery, let alone his second one. Bringing Ohtani back early could adversely and devastatingly affect his career. Please stop the nonsense. Your comments are usually spot on, but not this one.