As the Los Angeles Dodgers march toward the end of the regular season, their journey is overshadowed by a series of injuries that have profoundly impacted their pitching staff. Manager Dave Roberts conveyed the grim reality when he addressed the media about the status of right-hander Gavin Stone, whose ongoing shoulder soreness has cast serious doubt over his return this season.
“Very unlikely” was the term Roberts used to describe the probability of Stone’s comeback, a sentiment that will undoubtedly worry Dodgers faithful. Stone, who last pitched on August 31, had been a cornerstone in the roster with 25 starts under his belt. His performance, with a 3.53 ERA (111 ERA+) and a commendable 3.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio, had contributed an estimated 1.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) to his team, showcasing his significant value on the mound. His absence creates a substantive gap in the Dodgers' pitching depth, which is already being tested as they head into the critical postseason phase.
In addition to Stone, Tyler Glasnow’s injury further exacerbates the Dodgers’ predicament. The team’s pitching rotation has been a revolving door of absences with key contributors like Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, River Ryan, and Emmet Sheehan all missing in action. These absentee players are crucial to the Dodgers’ success, heightening the challenge of navigating the remainder of the season.
In his comments to MLB.com, Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman outlined the uncertainty surrounding Stone’s condition. "I'm not sure," Friedman stated. "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."
The current Dodgers rotation, cobbled together amid these adversities, now consists of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and Landon Knack. This new-look rotation faced a setback recently when Bobby Miller was optioned to Triple-A following a troubling performance, where he allowed four runs on seven hits over two innings against the Miami Marlins. Miller’s demotion further underscores the precarious state of the Dodgers' pitching staff.
Despite these considerable challenges, the Dodgers have maintained an impressive 89-62 record as of Wednesday. They hold a 3 1/2 game lead in the National League West, a testament to the team’s resilience and overall depth. However, this lead could quickly dwindle if the current injury woes aren’t mitigated. Furthermore, their standing in the National League is precarious; they are two games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL's second seed but trail the Philadelphia Phillies by two games for the top seed. Each game hereon carries significant weight, influencing not only playoff seeding but also the critical advantage of home-field play.
The tightrope the Dodgers must walk is evident. Managing their pitching staff through these tumultuous times will be pivotal. Every win or loss may substantially alter their playoff trajectory. As the postseason looms, the pressure mounts for Roberts and his team to scramble for solutions from their existing roster or possibly seek strategic reinforcements.
Deciphering who will step up to fill the voids left by the sidelined pitchers remains a daunting task. Without a doubt, the next few weeks will test the mettle and resilience of everyone involved with the Dodgers' franchise, from the front office strategists to the players on the field.
The Dodgers’ journey is far from over, and as they continue to navigate this minefield of injuries, all eyes will be on how well they adapt and persevere. The season, laden with highs and lows, may still have many twists and turns before the final chapter is written.