Will the Dodgers Go To a Six-Man Rotation With Yoshinobu Yamamoto?
One of the biggest differences between MLB and NPB, the top league in Japan, is the amount of rest days between starts for pitchers.
Generally, in NPB, the starting pitcher takes the mound once a week. In MLB, pitchers start every five days. Having signed Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers might need to adjust their rotation to accommodate them.
That adjustment may be smaller for the Dodgers than most teams. The Dodgers deployed 17 different starting pitchers last year for a few different reasons. Some, like Emmett Sheehan or Gavin Stone, were promoted from the minor leagues when another pitcher was injured. Others, like Caleb Ferguson or Alex Vesia, were used as openers, and another pitcher did the bulk of the work that day out of the bullpen.
Either way, the club is already used to being flexible with their starting pitchers. When asked about how they’ll approach the rotation with regards to days of rest, general manager Brandon Gomes emphasized the team’s historical approach:
“One thing we’ve done really well over the years is make sure our pitchers have enough rest. That’s something we’ll continue to talk about and make sure that everyone is in the best position to perform,” Gomes said. “We’ve been fortunate enough to have depth to drop guys in when needed. It’s something we’ve done in the past. We’ll be nimble on that front.
Brandon Gomes
If this means that Yamamoto will take the ball once a week, the club might prepare to do just that. After returning from injury in 2023, the Dodgers put Clayton Kershaw on a similar schedule. Kershaw even joked that he felt like a college pitcher since he only pitched once a week.
Kershaw was nursing a shoulder injury at the time. Although Yamamoto is reputedly healthy, the Dodgers want to keep it that way.
Gomes further talked about Yamamoto’s dedication and routine:
“I think being able to watch Yoshinobu pitch, his stuff is special. The command is something that I haven’t seen. It is up there with the upper echelon of guys I’ve seen command the baseball. There’s no question in our mind that his commitment and dedication, taking care of himself, that he will get in a good routine, and on that rotation schedule at some point. That’s something we can talk through more as a group.”
Brandon Gomes
The organization’s flexibility paired with Yamamoto’s work ethic should create an ideal situation for the Dodgers’ rotation — even if it looks a bit unconventional in 2024. This appears to be a collaborative effort to find a schedule that works for the team and its ultimate goal of winning the World Series.
Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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Yes. This is a perfect situation for a 6 man rotation. Yamamoto, Glasnow, Buehler, Kersh (WHEN he comes back), Miller, etc are all guys that will benefit from an extra day of rest every time through the rotation. It works perfectly this year and I’m pretty sure that’s what they’re planning on doing.
17 started last year but 4 were openers, true relief pitchers pitching only 1 inning. There were some bullpen games. So they need to plan to be about 15 deep this year.
1 Yamamoto, 2 Glasnow, 3 Bobby Miller, 4 Buehler (not necessarily ready in April) 5 Sheehan, 6 Yarbrough, 7 Gavin Stone 8 Michael Grove 9 Kershaw maybe after ASG 10 Dustin May maybe after ASG 11 Frasso September 12 Landon Knack September 13 Hurt September 14 need another free agent or trade acquisition, someone with 1 year on his contract/control especially to start in the first half of the year if Buehler is not ready 15 trade deadline acquisition August 1 2024. In 2025 add to the above Ohtani, Gonsolin, Dustin May (maybe already starting after ASG 2023?) Kershaw (unless retired?), promoting some of the AAA starters (one or more of whom may be really good), but probably losing Buehler, losing the one-year trade or free agent acquisition, losing the trade deadline acquisition, losing who knows whom to injury, but, it is hoped, signing Sasaki. So 2025 looks good, geat with Sasaki. Need to do some more work for 2024.
But will then be able to pitch on shorter rest in the postseason? There gonna have to change the rules for an ERA title at this rate.
Actually if you have 3 or 4 solid starters the postseason provides lots of time for rest, with more days off between games, and also time between series for winners. The only time you have to pitch guys on short rest is when the other starters are hurt or not good enough.
I would like to see more frequent and consistent use of openers. If I recall, Walker’s only real problem inning is the 1st. CK too to a lesser extent. Nowadays nobody completes 9 innings – my theory is that the increased competition requires heavy effort on more complicated pitches that put higher stress on elbows and shoulders. So if you are going to use a reliever, why not in the 1st inning instead of the 7th or 8th? Relievers put every ounce of effort because they are only there for a few batters, starters often pace themselves, and often take an inning or two to totally get in gear. Why not let the starter come in to face the middle of the rotation? I know this could be an ego issue for a lot of pitchers, but so f’n what? They are paid millions, it’s not about them.
Kershaw should be one of the six. He has a good five years left in him!