Tyler Glasnow keeps making the Dodgers’ October picture look a whole lot clearer.
On Sunday against the Tigers, Glasnow delivered exactly the kind of outing Los Angeles wanted to see: seven innings, one run, two hits, one walk and only 85 pitches in the Dodgers’ rubber match win. It was a clean, efficient afternoon, and it came at a time when the Dodgers’ offense finally snapped out of its funk long enough to score more than five runs for the first time since August 19 against the Colorado Rockies.
That matters because the bigger storyline around the Dodgers’ postseason rotation keeps shifting. Shohei Ohtani’s status on the mound is now in question again, with Dave Roberts saying he was “not 100%,” and still dealing with discomfort in his knee, biceps and “overall body.” The Dodgers have not ruled out a return to the mound, but they are handling him carefully, and Glasnow’s latest start only reinforces why there’s no reason to rush Ohtani back.
Glasnow has already shown he can be exactly what the Dodgers need when the games get bigger. Last postseason, after spending a little over two months on the IL with shoulder inflammation, he still managed 21⅓ innings with a 1.69 ERA as part of what was described as the Dodgers’ untouchable postseason rotation. This year, even with some early uncertainty about his postseason role, he looks lined up to be there again.
There had been some concern about how long it would take him to recover from lower back spasms, but the answer turned out to be simple: two starts. That was enough for him to get right back to the top of his game.
He was also viewed as the weakest link in last year’s postseason rotation, which included Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Ohtani and Glasnow. But that didn’t play out that way. Glasnow outperformed Ohtani and even moved into the closer role in Game 6 of the World Series after Roki Sasaki put LA in a precarious spot in the ninth.
The Dodgers can live without Ohtani pitching in October, even if both the team and its fans would love to see him on the mound. Glasnow, meanwhile, is on track to finish the regular season with fewer than 80 innings, but that won’t matter if he’s healthy when October arrives.
In Other News...
Dodgers Roster Shakeup Just Squeezed Out One Veteran Role Player
The Dodgers latest roster move brought some needed depth back into the mix, with catchers Will Smith and Dalton Rushing and left-hander Justin Wrobleski all coming off the injured list. Los Angeles also recalled infielder Alex Freeland from Triple-A, giving the club another versatile piece as it juggles the back end of the roster.
To clear space, the Dodgers designated catcher Ben Rortvedt for assignment, a reminder of how quickly the margins can tighten when injured players return at once. Outfielder Alek Thomas was sent to Triple-A as part of the same reshuffle, while top prospect James Tibbs III stays put there for now as the organization continues to sort out its next wave of options. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Catching Shakeup Begins As Will Smith Finally Returns
Will Smith is back on the active roster, and the Dodgers used a busy roster day to make room for him. Los Angeles activated Smith along with Dalton Rushing and Justin Wrobleski from the injured list, recalled infielder Alex Freeland from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned center fielder Alek Thomas, a flurry of moves that reflects just how much the club has had to juggle as it gets healthier.
The biggest shift came behind the plate, where Ben Rortvedt was designated for assignment to clear space for Smith after the catcher spent time on the 60-day injured list with neck inflammation. With Smith returning to the mix and Rushing also back, the Dodgers now have a different look at catcher, and the next question is how they sort out the playing time and depth chart from here. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Chose Caution With A September Call-Up Fans Wanted More From
The Dodgers had a chance to make their September roster move feel a little more electric, but instead they leaned into a safer, more practical option. Rather than bringing up one of the more buzzed-about young bats in James Tibbs III or Josue De Paula after Dave Roberts hinted a left-handed hitter might be on the way, the club recalled infielder Alex Freeland. It is the kind of choice that says as much about roster flexibility as it does about patience.
Freelands recent Triple-A numbers have been more modest than the kind of run that typically forces a promotion, while Tibbs has been the hotter name for those looking for a bigger jolt. Still, the Dodgers seem content to take the longer view with their top prospects for now, even if it means leaving fans to wonder when the next wave of youth will arrive. The move also keeps the outfield picture a little cleaner for Tommy Edman, which may have been part of the calculus all along. [Read more 🡒]