It still could be quite a while before the Los Angeles Dodgers see any help for their starting rotation. The team’s hopes for getting healthy reinforcements back hit significant snags this week, as both Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell faced setbacks in their respective recovery timelines. What was once optimism about imminent returns has changed into growing concerns about when either pitcher will be ready to contribute.
Glasnow’s Troubling Rehab Performance
Glasnow’s second rehab start on Friday night for Triple-A Oklahoma City against Sacramento was nothing short of a disaster. The right-hander managed just 2-1/3 innings while allowing five runs on seven hits, needing 66 pitches to record seven outs. He was supposed to throw three innings but couldn’t get there, using up most of his leash in the first frame when he threw 40 pitches and gave up four runs.
Over his two rehab appearances, Glasnow now has a 10.38 ERA — hardly the kind of results that inspire confidence from the Los Angeles coaching staff and management crew. While his average fastball velocity was over 96 mph and he recorded nine punchouts, his command was severely lacking as only 37 of his 66 pitches were strikes.
The struggles appear to stem from Glasnow’s continued focus on mechanical changes he made during the offseason. Roberts emphasized the need for a mental shift: “He’s a very cerebral guy, mechanical, and as he’s gone through this rehab, he’s still thinking more internal, which is understandable. But as he starts to get out on rehab, get closer to competition, my encouragement is to get more external. You’re going to start trying to get hitters out rather than [focus on] where your delivery is at.”
These recent struggles could mean that Glasnow will need at least one or more rehab starts before returning to the majors.
Snell’s Stalled Progress
Snell’s recovery appears even more troubling. The two-time Cy Young Award winner, who has been out since April 6 with shoulder inflammation, still isn’t close to facing live hitters according to the latest update from Roberts.
“I would say probably not,” Roberts said when asked if Snell is close to facing live hitters. “We got to do another ‘pen and we’ll see where we go. But I would just say overall, my idea of close is probably not, which could be different from yours.”
The slow progress is particularly frustrating given that Snell was supposed to anchor the rotation with his $182 million contract. He managed just two starts at the beginning of the season, and his extended absence has left a massive hole in the rotation.
Snell has acknowledged pushing too hard for Opening Day. “I probably should have stopped throwing before Opening Day, but I just wanted to pitch so bad,” Snell said back in May. “It’s tough, we want to compete. You want to play and, you know, new to being a Dodger, I just want to show everyone how great I am and what I can be. Got a little too far ahead of myself.”
Rotation Reality Check
With both returns now pushed back indefinitely, the Dodgers face a harsh reality about their rotation depth. Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May and Yoshinobu Yamamoto represent the only reliable long men currently available, with Shohei Ohtani slowly building his pitch count.
The lack of viable alternatives at Triple-A Oklahoma City makes the situation even more precarious. Bobby Miller, Landon Knack and Justin Wrobleski are all posting ERAs north of 5.00 with the Comets, while Miller remains on the injured list. Even promising Emmet Sheehan, who threw six perfect innings with 13 strikeouts recently, cannot return until July 4 due to the 10-day rule after being optioned — unless another pitcher is placed on the injured list.
This reality puts enormous pressure on healthy starters while the organization hopes for better news from their injured stars or outside help before the trade deadline.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
The Dodgers have learned to cope with the pitchers they can find healthy daily. The offense has carried them this far. I like the rotation of Yamamoto, Kershaw, May, Ohtani/Casparius and hopefully Sheehan. Wrobleski has shown great improvement the last couple of starts, his 98-99 mph fastball with good secondary pitches with movement added to control makes him an intriguing lefty. I do not trust that Glasnow with be a great savior so far he has been made of glass. Sheehan has proven to be highly effective at OKC and his one start. Not sure what is up with May as he has not performed well. Really wish Kim would get more at bats. The Dodgers in the first half of the year are on a 100 win pace amazing for their injury problems. I think they will win close to 110 games as their pitching rotation improves along with their bullpen,
LikeLike
Although tall pitchers have the advantage of finishing their delivery closer to home plate, they also have a history of losing their mechanics. May and Glasnow are examples. It’s hard to get all those long limbs to work together correctly. 🙂
The Brewers pitching sensation Jacob Misiorowski seems to be an exception. That guy is incredible.
I don’t see May coming back once he becomes a free agent at the end of the year. Someone will offer him a multi-year contract, but with all our pitching prospects I don’t think that will be Andrew Friedman. And he certainly won’t give him a QO at over 20 mil for a year.
LikeLike
so we are kind of stuck with our long list of former “top prospects”. That will never work. Get out the old cheque book. No problem.
LikeLike
Don’t be so negative, Gordon. We constantly have young pitching prospects who go on to great careers with the Dodgers.
Take Kershaw, for example, as recently as 2008.
LikeLike
Lol. darn you are right. Forgot about him. They are not all failures
LikeLike
It will be interesting to see if they offer May or Gonsolin next year. May has the curse of potential and Gonsolin the injury curse.Wrobleski is pitching a shut out in his 6 innings. 6K’s, 1 BB and 3 hits. The article I read talked about how they cleaned up his mechanics and that improved his velocity and control. This young guy is turning into a real prospect. Is he in the rotation mix this year or next? 2026 Dodgers will have Ohtani, Yamamoto, Glasnow, Snell, Sasaski, Sheehan and Wrobleski along with other young players under contract.Plus River and Stone are due back. It will be interesting to see if Kershaw wants another year. I am curious how Knack, Miller and Frasso and others continue to progress. Outman is hot at OKC I wonder if he has cured his swing and miss problems. Sirota still hot at A+ I wonder if he gets promoted to Tulsa this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May will be a free agent but the Dodgers control Gonsolin for one more year (through 2026). As I mentioned above, I don’t see any way that May is back next year and I wouldn’t be totally surprised to see Gonsolin traded this winter, although for that to happen I think he’ll have to build some trade value after the All Star break. That may not happen.
Wrobo has been great and has definitely earned his way into the rotation. Sheehan may not be far behind. If Rivers and Stone can come back at the same level they were demonstrating before they got hurt, they’ll be very valuable as well.
It sounds like they’re converting Frasso into a reliever which, if he’s going to stay a Dodger, might be best for his career. Knack and Miller would be best served if they were traded to other organizations.
If the Dodgers would ever have a year where most of their pitchers stayed healthy, I have no clue how they would handle all the extra guys. You can’t use a 10-man rotation.
LikeLike
It just seems like it’s been the same narrative for the last two or three years. Tons of options in the spring, but lucky to have three really solid options come October.
LikeLike
Maybe they’re all getting their injuries out of the way during the season this year and will be healthy for the playoffs………………………………………………or not.
LikeLike
So far Snell and Glasnow have been a huge bust.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“So far” is correct. Lots of time on both of their contracts to make them worthwhile.
Remember, Glasnow was voted on to the All Star roster last year before he got injured so he was hardly a total bust, and this year we have a 6 game lead in the division without him. We just have to have him healthy when we do need him.
Snell had an injury history as well, but when he’s good, he’s great.
Total waste of money so far, but I’m giving it some more time to play out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have not given up hope yet. But my expectations have been severely reduced.
LikeLike
Glad you aren’t totally giving up on them yet.
Remember what everyone was saying about Max earlier in the year. Now he’s even hitting lefties. Miracles happen.
LikeLike
Sheehan is about ready to step back into the rotation. They might target a starter at the deadline, but I doubt it. Glasnow simply looked like a guy who had not competed in several weeks. He should improve dramatically. Frasso has looked good in relief.
LikeLike