The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently navigating a challenging stretch as they contend with a series of injuries that threaten their postseason aspirations. The latest setback involves right-hander Gavin Stone, whose return this season has been cast into serious doubt.
Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the severity of Stone's situation, confirming that it is "very unlikely" the pitcher will take the mound again this year due to ongoing shoulder soreness. Stone has been sidelined since August 31, putting an abrupt halt to a promising campaign where he made 25 starts and posted a respectable 3.53 ERA (111 ERA+). His ability to strike out batters at a solid 3.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio earned him an estimated 1.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), further underlining his value to the rotation.
Adding to the Dodgers’ woes is the condition of Tyler Glasnow, whose injury issues have compromised the team's pitching depth significantly. These setbacks come at a critical juncture as the Dodgers eye a postseason where every piece of the rotation puzzle could be vital.
Stone's absence is just one part of a larger injury narrative for the Dodgers. The team has been forced to manage without key contributors such as Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, River Ryan, and Emmet Sheehan. This depletion in talent has placed immense pressure on the current rotation, which includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and Landon Knack.
Meanwhile, Bobby Miller was optioned to Triple-A after an uneven performance against the Miami Marlins, where he allowed four runs on seven hits over two innings. This move highlights the carousel of pitchers the Dodgers have had to rely on as they strive to stay competitive.
Despite these hurdles, the Dodgers have managed to maintain a strong 89-62 record as of Wednesday. They hold a 3 1/2 game lead in the National League West and are two games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL's second seed. Their eyes, however, are set on overtaking the Philadelphia Phillies, who currently sit two games ahead for the top seed.
Injury management and strategic decision-making will be paramount for the Dodgers. As Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman indicated, there is considerable uncertainty surrounding Stone's recovery. "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."
Friedman's comments reflect the cautious approach the Dodgers must take, balancing the immediate need for wins with the health and long-term viability of their pitchers. Each game, and by extension each win or loss, holds significant implications for seeding and the crucial advantage of home-field placement in the playoffs.
Managing these pitching dilemmas as the regular season concludes will be critical for the Dodgers. With a precarious hold on their current standings, the team has little room for error. The hope is that reinforcements can return in time to bolster the pitching staff for a deep playoff run.
In the competitive landscape of Major League Baseball, the ability to adapt and overcome injuries often separates the contenders from the pretenders. For the Dodgers, their resilience will be tested, and how they respond in the coming weeks could very well define their 2023 season.