Dodgers head down the stretch with questions – still – in starting rotation

LOS ANGELES — The next 35 games are going to be some of the most important of the Dodgers’ season. But their starting rotation will include two pitchers struggling to pitch like their former selves (Walker Buehler and Bobby Miller) and – eventually – two others coming back from injuries (Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto).

“I think that we’ve got some good options, in the sense that they’re healthy and pitching well. My expectation is they’re all gonna start trending that way,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “And then if it doesn’t happen, we’re going to have some different decisions to make. But I think as far as the pedigree, the talent, it’s there. And now it’s up to, as Walker said last night, he’s got to go out there and do it. And just using a name.

“That applies to all of them. I’m in playoff mode right now, to be quite frank. So as we get through September, I think it will start to come to light a little bit more, as guys get more opportunities.”

Glasnow’s return could be a little further away than first expected. Placed on the injured list with elbow tendinitis last week, Glasnow has not started throwing, making it unlikely he will be ready to rejoin the rotation at the end of the required 15 days.

“I would say it’s beyond that,” Roberts said. “I know he’s probably frustrated. But you’ve got to listen to your body. So if he doesn’t play catch today, I just can’t see how it’s not more than 15 days.”

Meanwhile, Yamamoto moved a step closer to returning by throwing two simulated innings against hitters Wednesday afternoon. Yamamoto will throw another simulated-game session, this time stretching out to three innings, then discuss a minor-league injury rehabilitation assignment, putting his return to the Dodgers’ rotation into September with little time to show how ready he will be for the postseason.

“It’s obviously not ideal,” Roberts said. “But I still think getting him back to health and building him up is our best ball club. So we’re going to make the most of it.”

Yamamoto said he felt better Wednesday than he did in his previous simulated session on Friday in St. Louis.

“The feeling was pretty good,” Yamamoto said through his interpreter. “I think it’s one thing at a time to get myself ready to go back.”

TREINEN RETURNS

The Dodgers activated veteran reliever Blake Treinen from the injured list and sent right-hander Ben Casparius back to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The 36-year-old Treinen missed all of 2023 recovering from shoulder surgery and his 2024 season started late after he was hit in the ribs by a line drive during a Cactus League game. Treinen was 5-3 with a save and 2.67 ERA. He was out since Aug. 4 with hip inflammation.

Casparius did not appear in a game after being promoted. Brent Honeywell Jr. was designated for assignment in order to promote Casparius. Honeywell cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A.

ALSO

Shortstop Miguel Rojas was scratched from the lineup on Wednesday afternoon with a “balky” hamstring, Roberts said.

UP NEXT

The Dodgers are off Thursday.

Rays (TBA) at Dodgers (RHP Bobby Miller, 1-3, 8.02 ERA), Friday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, MLB Network, 570 AM