Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Justin Wrobleski will make his first start since returning from the IL against the Washington Nationals on Sunday.
Wrobleski, 26, steps in to replace Eric Lauer, who went down earlier in the week with an elbow injury. The Dodgers have five players in their rotation with Wrobleski’s addition, and will call up a starter for Monday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds to restore their six-man unit, per Dave Roberts.
Why Wasn’t Justin Wrobleski in the Dodgers’ Rotation Already?
He had been in the Dodgers’ rotation for most of the year through July, though he moved to the injured list with forearm tightness after a few difficult starts in August. After spending just over the minimum 15 days on the injured list, Wrobleski returned to the team—though as a reliever.
The southpaw has only made one appearance after his return, coming against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday. He threw two innings, allowing three runs with four strikeouts in two innings pitched.
Wrobleski had a fantastic start to the season with the Dodgers, moving into the rotation after just one relief appearance to start the year. He earned his first All-Star selection in July, posting a 2.69 ERA through 100.1 innings with 73 strikeouts during the first half.
After the Midsummer Classic, though, Wrobleski began to struggle. Through his six appearances following the All-Star break, he has a 7.07 ERA through 28 innings, though his strikeout rate is far better than it was in the first half of 2026.
Will Justin Wrobleski Remain in the Dodgers’ Rotation?
Wrobleski is a fantastic depth option for the Dodgers to have, but will have to prove himself if he wants to remain a starter for the remainder of the regular season.
He and the starter who comes up Monday—presumably Emmet Sheehan after a strong stint in Triple-A—will fight for their spot in the rotation with Roki Sasaki’s return from the injured list with a blister right around the corner.
If the left-hander can return to his early-season form, the Dodgers will very likely keep him among their starters for the remainder of the regular season, but if he fails to perform, a return to a long relief role could be in the cards.
