As the Los Angeles Dodgers march towards the postseason, their journey is being marred by an array of injuries, raising substantial concerns about pitching depth and team performance. The health woes predominantly revolve around the rotation, affecting seasoned players and emerging talents alike.
Manager Dave Roberts recently confirmed that right-hander Gavin Stone is "very unlikely" to take the mound again this season due to persistent shoulder soreness. Stone, who last pitched on August 31, had been a pivotal part of the rotation, making 25 starts and posting a respectable 3.53 ERA coupled with a 3.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His contributions, quantified at approximately 1.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), underscore the significance of his absence as the team navigates the critical final stretch of the season.
Adding to the Dodgers' pitching predicament is Tyler Glasnow, whose injury issues further deplete the team's postseason options. The absence of these key players leaves the Dodgers significantly hampered, especially as they also contend with injuries to Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, River Ryan, and Emmet Sheehan.
The current rotation features Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and Landon Knack. Rounding out the rotation is Bobby Miller, although his recent performance has raised some eyebrows. In his latest outing against the Miami Marlins, Miller surrendered four runs on seven hits over two innings, resulting in his optioning to Triple-A—a decision likely made to recalibrate his form ahead of the demanding postseason.
Despite these hurdles, the Dodgers maintain a commendable 89-62 record as of Wednesday. Their resilience has afforded them a 3 1/2 game lead in the National League West and a two-game cushion over the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL's second seed. However, the team trails the Philadelphia Phillies by two games for the coveted top seed, making every remaining game critical for determining postseason positioning and potential home-field advantage.
Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers President of Baseball Operations, commented on the uncertain recovery timelines, particularly regarding Gavin Stone. "I'm not sure," Friedman told MLB.com. "I'm optimistic he is going to do everything he possibly can. There's just so much unknown around it that we're going to do all we can to dominate each day, and hopefully, when he starts throwing, he can ramp up from there. It's just hard to speculate right now."
Managing these pitching dilemmas will be of utmost importance for the Dodgers. The delicate balancing act of maintaining a competitive edge while awaiting the return of injured players will test the depth and mettle of the entire roster. The team’s ability to adapt and thrive amid adversity will be crucial in determining their success as they venture into the high-stakes environment of postseason baseball.