The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing a critical phase as they navigate through an onslaught of injuries, particularly affecting their pitching staff. Manager Dave Roberts recently confirmed that right-hander Gavin Stone is "very unlikely" to return this season due to persistent shoulder soreness. Stone's absence is a significant blow to the Dodgers' pitching depth, especially as the team prepares for the postseason.
Gavin Stone, who has not pitched since August 31, was a reliable presence on the mound this season, making 25 starts with a commendable 3.53 ERA (111 ERA+) and a 3.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His performance earned him an estimated 1.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), highlighting his value to the team's rotation. The loss of Stone, coupled with the injuries of other key pitchers like Tyler Glasnow, further underscores the challenge ahead for the Dodgers.
Stone is not the only pitcher sidelined; the Dodgers are also missing stalwarts such as Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, River Ryan, and Emmet Sheehan. This has forced the team to rely on a rotation that includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and Landon Knack, all of whom need to step up in these crucial final weeks of the season.
While the starting rotation is adapting, Bobby Miller was recently optioned to Triple-A after a rough outing against the Miami Marlins, allowing four runs on seven hits over just two innings. Such setbacks provide a stark reminder of the precarious situation the Dodgers find themselves in as they aim to solidify their postseason seeding.
As of Wednesday, the Dodgers held an 89-62 record, maintaining a 3.5 game lead in the National League West. They are two games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL's second seed and trail the Philadelphia Phillies by two games for the top seed. Every win or loss at this point can substantially impact their seeding and potential home-field advantage, making managerial decisions even more critical.
In light of Gavin Stone's uncertain future, Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman offered a cautious but hopeful outlook. "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."
Managing these pitching dilemmas will be paramount for the Dodgers as they look to make a deep postseason run. The team's resilience in the face of adversity will be tested, and how they handle these challenges could define their season. With a mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talents, the Dodgers' ability to adapt and overcome will be crucial in the weeks ahead.
As the Dodgers strive to fortify their pitching staff and maintain their edge in the standings, every game will be a test of their depth and resilience. The coming weeks will reveal whether this storied franchise can rise above its injury woes and make a significant impact in October.