Injury Woes Plague Dodgers as Postseason Nears
The Los Angeles Dodgers are grappling with a slew of injuries, a situation that could significantly impact their postseason aspirations. Among the most pressing concerns is the status of right-hander Gavin Stone, who, according to Manager Dave Roberts, is "very unlikely" to return this season due to lingering shoulder soreness.
Stone has been sidelined since August 31 and has yet to make a recovery that would put him back on the mound. This setback is particularly disheartening given that Stone had made 25 starts this season, boasting a commendable 3.53 ERA (111 ERA+) and a 3.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His performance had earned him an estimated 1.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), making his absence all the more significant for a team already stretched thin.
Additional injuries are also affecting the Dodgers' pitching depth, with Tyler Glasnow facing his own set of health issues. This has led to a reshuffling within the rotation, further complicating matters for the team as they approach the high-stakes environment of the postseason. The Dodgers' current rotation consists of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and Landon Knack. However, the team is missing key contributors such as Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, River Ryan, and Emmet Sheehan, all of whom are sidelined with various injuries.
The impact of these injuries has already been felt. Bobby Miller, who was optioned to Triple-A following a rough outing against the Miami Marlins where he allowed four runs on seven hits over two innings, underscores the Dodgers' pitching struggles. The team’s ability to manage these dilemmas will be crucial as they fight for advantageous postseason seeding.
As of Wednesday, the Dodgers held an 89-62 record, maintaining a 3 1/2 game lead in the National League West. They stand 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 win or loss henceforth will play a pivotal role in determining their postseason fate, making effective roster management indispensable.
Andrew Friedman, Dodgers President of Baseball Operations, shed some light on the uncertainty surrounding the injured players' return. "I'm not sure," Friedman told MLB.com. "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 Dodgers find themselves at a critical juncture, balancing the need to secure wins with the reality of their injury-depleted roster. As the postseason looms, the team's capacity to navigate these challenges will be put to the test, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the sport where every decision can tilt the scales either toward victory or an early exit.