The Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching staff has been hit hard by injuries, leaving the team with serious concerns as they head into the postseason. Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, acknowledged that injuries are a common hazard in the industry and that pitchers’ arms are rarely pristine, especially in September. However, the sheer number of injuries the Dodgers have faced this season has left them scrambling to find a viable rotation for the playoffs.
Currently, the Dodgers have 12 starters on the injured list, with eight still out. While Friedman didn’t rule out the possibility of some of these pitchers returning before the end of the season, the odds are slim. This situation has forced the team to rethink their offseason plans for addressing their pitching staff. The Dodgers had initially focused on acquiring a large number of pitchers to provide depth, but the injuries have left them uncertain about who will be available for the postseason.
The Dodgers are not alone in dealing with pitching injuries. The Atlanta Braves and the Tampa Bay Rays have also faced significant pitching challenges this season. Despite losing key players to injuries, both teams have managed to remain in postseason contention. This highlights the importance of depth and resilience in a pitching staff.
Friedman acknowledged the industry-wide concerns about pitching injuries and expressed the team’s intention to investigate and reimagine their pitching development and protocols. He recognized that injuries are a problem throughout the industry, but the impact feels more significant when it happens to their own team.
One pitcher who represents a success story for the Dodgers’ development system is Gavin Stone. After struggling in his first taste of the big leagues last year, Stone made the Opening Day rotation this season and performed well. However, he recently landed on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Stone’s case highlights the challenges of managing workload and preventing injuries in pitchers.
Finding a solution to the increasing number of pitching injuries is a complex task. There are various theories about the causes, including the abnormal motion of throwing a baseball and the pressure to throw harder and spin the ball more. Friedman believes that the issue starts at the youth level and requires a more individualized approach to development and recovery. The Dodgers have already implemented strategies like giving starters extra rest and being conservative with bullpen usage, but they acknowledge that more needs to be done.
As the Dodgers continue to navigate their pitching challenges, one thing is clear: there are no easy answers. The team, along with the rest of the industry, will need to invest time and resources into finding innovative solutions to prevent and manage pitching injuries. This offseason will be crucial for the Dodgers to reevaluate their approach and create a more individualized program for their pitchers. While it’s impossible to predict the outcome, the hope is that these efforts will lead to a more productive and sustainable pitching staff in the future.