The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again leaning into a strategy that’s become part of their identity: depth, flexibility, and a rotation built for the long haul. After rolling with a six-man rotation throughout the 2025 season, general manager Brandon Gomes says the club could stick with that same approach heading into 2026.
“It’s certainly on the table, but it depends how things shake out,” Gomes said.
That measured tone is classic Dodgers - always evaluating, always adjusting. But make no mistake: this is a team that knows what it has, and it’s not afraid to double down on a formula that worked.
Let’s rewind for a second. In 2025, the Dodgers’ rotation featured an impressive mix of firepower and finesse: Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, Emmet Sheehan, and Clayton Kershaw.
That group helped power the Dodgers to one of the best starting pitching performances in baseball - a 3.69 ERA that ranked fifth in MLB and third in the National League. In a league where pitching depth is gold, LA struck it rich.
Of course, the rotation won’t look exactly the same in 2026. Kershaw, a Dodgers legend, has officially retired.
But the team may already have his replacement in-house: Roki Sasaki. The electric right-hander spent much of last season on the injured list before shifting to the bullpen for the postseason.
Now, Gomes says Sasaki will “absolutely” return to a starting role next season.
That’s a significant development. Sasaki’s upside is enormous, and if he’s healthy and stretched out, he could be a major factor in keeping the six-man rotation intact - and dominant.
The six-man setup isn’t without its critics. It’s unconventional and can disrupt the rhythm of pitchers who prefer a traditional five-day schedule.
But for the Dodgers, it’s a calculated move. It gives their arms more rest, helps manage workloads over a 162-game grind, and - perhaps most importantly - aligns perfectly with Shohei Ohtani’s unique two-way usage.
Speaking of Ohtani, his return to the mound in 2026 is one of the biggest storylines to watch. After undergoing elbow surgery in 2025, he didn’t pitch last season but remained a force at the plate. Now, the Dodgers are easing into conversations about how his pitching schedule might look next year.
“I think that’s a conversation we’ll have with him as it gets deeper into the offseason,” Gomes said. “But it’ll probably look more like a normal schedule than last year, but obviously that can be fluid. And everything we’ll do is with the big picture mindset.”
Translation: the Dodgers are taking no shortcuts with Ohtani. They’ll be deliberate, strategic, and focused on keeping him healthy for the full season - and beyond.
That’s where the six-man rotation comes into play again. It gives Ohtani the breathing room he needs to contribute on both sides of the ball without overextending.
All of this is part of a larger plan. The Dodgers aren’t just trying to win games - they’re chasing history.
With back-to-back championships already in the books, LA is eyeing a third straight title in 2026. Only two franchises have ever pulled off a three-peat: the New York Yankees and the Oakland Athletics.
The Dodgers want to join that elite club.
And they’re not hiding from the pressure. They’re embracing it - with a deep rotation, a smart front office, and a roster built to last deep into October.
Bottom line: if the Dodgers do run it back with a six-man rotation, it won’t be because it’s trendy. It’ll be because it works - and because it puts them in the best position to keep raising banners.