the Los Angeles Dodgers have placed starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow on the injured list, citing shoulder inflammation. This setback mirrors a similar injury sidelining fellow pitcher Blake Snell, further straining the team’s pitching depth.

Glasnow’s Discomfort and Roberts’ Assessment

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed the situation, stating that while Glasnow’s right shoulder appears structurally sound, the pitcher is experiencing what he termed general body pain. This news comes after Glasnow’s abbreviated outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he was removed from the game after feeling discomfort during his warm-up for the second inning.In that game, Glasnow surrendered back-to-back home runs in the first inning [[1]].

“Tyler said it; it’s very frustrating,” Roberts said. “We are just trying to get to the bottom of the matter.”

Recurring Injury Concerns

Glasnow has openly expressed his frustration with his recurring injury issues,even suggesting that recent mechanical adjustments aimed at improving his elbow health might have inadvertently contributed to this latest ailment. This echoes concerns from last season, where an elbow sprain sidelined him for the final two and a half months, including the playoffs. his absence substantially impacted the Dodgers’ pitching rotation during their World Series run.

Impact on the dodgers’ Pitching Rotation

Glasnow’s placement on the injured list exacerbates an already thin pitching staff.He now joins a list of eight injured pitchers for the Dodgers. While Tony Gonsolin is slated to return from injury and make his first major league start in 20 months on Wednesday, the Dodgers will need to utilize a bullpen game the day prior, highlighting the team’s current pitching shortage.

“The pitching is certainly volatile,” said Roberts, “We experience it last year and practically every year. I think the most disconcerting is that the bullpen leads the big leagues in entrances thrown.”

The Dodgers’ bullpen has already logged a league-leading 121 ⅓ innings pitched, surpassing even teams like the Chicago White Sox, who are on pace for a high number of losses. The team hopes that Glasnow and Snell’s absences will be short-lived, but their return dates remain uncertain. While Clayton Kershaw’s return is anticipated before the end of May, Shohei Ohtani’s return as a two-way player is not expected until after the All-Star break.

Glasnow’s History and Future

The 31-year-old Glasnow is currently in his tenth MLB season. His highest innings pitched in a single season was 134, achieved last year [[1]]. The Dodgers acquired him from the Tampa Bay Rays and subsequently signed him to a five-year,$136.56 million contract extension in December 2023, with the hope that his injury woes were behind him. Regrettably, this has not been the case.

Looking Ahead

With Glasnow and Snell sidelined, the Dodgers will need to rely on Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki to possibly adjust their schedules and pitch on a more conventional five-day rotation. Currently, the Dodgers have only four starting pitchers on their active roster, emphasizing the urgency of addressing their pitching depth.