Tyler Glasnow’s Latest Injury Puts Dodgers in a Tough Spot
Tyler Glasnow has been placed on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation, a setback for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He joins fellow pitcher Blake Snell, who is also dealing with a similar issue.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted that, while Glasnow’s shoulder is structurally fine, he’s feeling soreness throughout his body. Last Sunday, Glasnow struggled during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving up back-to-back home runs. He was pulled from the game after feeling discomfort while warming up for the next inning. Frustrated, he hinted that his recent injury might be linked to mechanical changes he made to protect his elbow.
Last season, Glasnow missed two and a half months with an elbow sprain, which impacted the Dodgers’ pitching options in their World Series run. Currently, he’s one of eight starting pitchers on the injured list.
Amid this crisis, pitcher Tony Gonsolin is set to return and make his first major league start in 20 months. However, the Dodgers are so short on pitchers that they will have to rely on a bullpen game soon.
Roberts commented on the unpredictability of pitching injuries, highlighting that the Dodgers’ bullpen is leading the league in innings, which can be taxing over a long season. As of now, their relief pitchers have logged over 121 innings, surpassing the Chicago White Sox.
Glasnow and Snell aren’t expected to be sidelined for long, but their recovery timelines are unclear. Clayton Kershaw might return soon, but star player Shohei Ohtani’s return as a two-way player is uncertain and may take longer.
At 31 years old, Glasnow has faced injury challenges throughout his career. He has never pitched more than 134 innings in a season, a new personal best set last year. The Dodgers had high hopes when they traded for him, signing him to a five-year extension worth $136.56 million last December, believing his injury issues were behind him.
With the current circumstances, the Dodgers are in a tough position, needing to navigate these injuries while maintaining their competitive edge.
Injuries in baseball are becoming more prominent, with recent studies showing that around 41% of pitchers experience arm injuries during their careers. This trend raises concerns about the physical demands placed on athletes today. It highlights the importance of proper training and preventive measures to keep players healthy.
As the Dodgers adapt to these challenges, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the team manages their pitching situation in the coming weeks. For more insights on the impact of injuries in MLB, check out this NCAA report on injury trends.