In recent news from Camelback Ranch, the Los Angeles Dodgers will likely not begin using a six-man starting pitching rotation until later in the spring. Thanks to a regular-season schedule that includes off-days every week throughout April, the team can temporarily ease back on their expanded rotation plans.
“The schedule sets up well through April for us to manage it without doing that,” front-office boss Andrew Friedman explained last week.
This scheduling quirk means that Los Angeles starters might only need to work on four days rest just three times in the opening five weeks — April 9, 16 and 30. The timing could prove perfect, as Shohei Ohtani‘s anticipated return to the mound could conceivably hit in May.
Tokyo Starting Pitchers Set, Battle Brewing for Fifth Spot
The rotation’s foundation is taking shape, with Japanese stars Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki slated to headline the Tokyo series on March 18 and 19, according to manager Dave Roberts. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow — health permitting — are also locked into starting spots, leaving an intriguing battle for the fifth rotation slot between Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May.
The competition comes with its share of question marks. Gonsolin missed 2024 recovering from UCL surgery, while May’s comeback was cut short last July due to a torn esophagus.
Bullpen Flexibility Could Shape Final Roster Decisions
“It’s gonna be interesting. They are fighting for a spot,” Roberts said, adding that both Gonsolin and May could find themselves in the bullpen if they don’t crack the rotation. “But I do think that right now, at this point, they’re both building up. We’re viewing them as starters.”
The bullpen might indeed be where May, Gonsolin, Bobby Miller or even Landon Knack end up on Opening Day, especially with relievers Evan Phillips and Michael Kopech expected to start the season on the injured list. Hard-throwing Brusdar Graterol, who recently said he feels like he has “a new arm” following November shoulder surgery, is also likely to claim one of those spots.
Snell Finding His Place in Dodger Blue
Meanwhile, Snell, once a villain in the eyes of Los Angeles fans everywhere, is already winning hearts in Los Angeles. The lefty recently shared a touching moment about his new team during an MLB Network appearance, specifically about the honor of throwing a bullpen in front of veteran lefty Clayton Kershaw.
Said Snell, “Putting a jersey on the first time, to me, that was amazing. I’ve been waiting to do that for a while. So, to throw a bullpen in uniform, you see Kershaw, that’s crazy to me. That’s like the coolest thing I think I’ve done in my career, is pitch in front of him.”
Ohtani’s Return to the Mound
As for Ohtani’s return to pitching, the timeline remains fluid. While Roberts has suggested May as a target, Friedman is taking a more measured approach: “We’re just going to let him continue his progression, watch how he’s recovering. I’m sure that it will continue to be as good as it’s been to this point and we’ll continue to move forward. But the date’s going to kind of fall out of that process as opposed to us having a target date.”
Think Blue Planning Committee 
I’m really rooting for Gonsolin to take that last spot. I think people sometimes forget how spectacular he was the year before he got hurt.
16-1 with a 2.14 ERA, a 0.875 WHIP and an ERA+ of 188. Those are some incredible numbers.
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I agree I am a huge fan of Catman. His splitter is incredibly effective and we have seen him mature into a first class pitcher. We all know about the injury problems however how can the Dodgers keep that much starting talent all year? Kershaw when ready has to start as does Ohtani. They will be pressured into a trade I think. Miller has amazing potential and remember that Stone and River should be coming next year. Sheehan will potentially be available end of this year or next season. If you have to trade a couple of very valuable young arms what is on you wish? How about a young outfielder that can make contact and run? Dodgers have been trying to draft one for awhile and have come up empty so far.
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My guess is outfield development is a very high priority. Farther down the list is third base. Maybe shortstop depending on where Mookie settles in.
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I agree that we’re going to need to trade some pitching for future outfield/third base prospects (or ready for MLB players).
Think about it, if all escape career-ending injury we have Roki, Yamamoto, Glasnow, Snell and Shohei locked up for years. That only leaves one spot in a 6-man rotation. We can’t possibly use all those other guys so I’m thinking between this July and this coming winter, we see a couple (or a few of them) moved for other assets.
We seem to have some decent shortstop prospects in the minors, one or more of whom might eventually be the answer at third base, so I would agree that outfield might be the first priority. Nobody disputes Zyhir Hope’s ability to play outfield so we just need to find out if he’ll become a major league hitter. DePaula, on the other hand, has convinced most pundits he’s going to need to become a DH or maybe a first baseman when Freddie hangs ’em up. I’m hoping he fools them and becomes a decent left fielder.
I’ve been reading some nice things about a young Taiwanese outfielder, Ko Ching-Hsien that we signed last June. He’ll get his first exposure stateside this year so he’s still a long ways from Chavez Ravine. And then we have Eduardo Quintero. But none of the guys I mentioned is over 20 yet and one or two of them haven’t even turned 18 so we’re going to need an outfielder or two to fill in the next couple of years and hopefully beyond.
Stone, Miller, Ryan, Knack, Wrobleski and Sheehan are all ready to start in the major leagues (once they come back from their various injuries). One or two of them could bring back something pretty good. My two favorites in that group are Stone and Ryan so I’m hoping that they stick around for a while but they might also bring back the most in return.
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I saw that Kody Hoese got an NRI to spring training this year. He must be 30 years old by now.
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Actually only 27 (this season will be his age 28 year).
Incredibly, after a career of nothing but mediocrity, especially for a player drafted as high as he was, he had his best season ever last year and it was at his highest level, AAA.
Maybe he’s turned a corner……………………………or maybe it was just an aberration.
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