The Los Angeles Dodgers have an 18-10 record and sit just one game out of first place in their division, yet fans might be getting a little nervous.
After an eight-game winning streak to open the season, a .500 slide has raised questions about the juggernaut roster’s ability to return to the World Series. And the team’s one weakness from its championship run in 2024 is back, as the Dodgers’ starting rotation struggles to stay healthy.
Blockbuster free agent addition Blake Snell has been placed on the injured list after just two starts. And now Tyler Glasnow seems poised to join him after he exited Sunday’s game with shoulder pain following just one inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“(Manager Dave) Roberts said the shoulder injury is ‘probably not’ a long-term concern,” per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. “But Glasnow is likely headed to the Injured List in the short term.”
The Dodgers are still without a healthy Clayton Kershaw or Tony Gonsolin and Shohei Ohtani continues to work his way back to the mound without a clear timeline. Meanwhile, rookie Roki Sasaki has struggled with effectiveness and the Dodgers are in need of another dependable starting arm.
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As a result, they might turn to Ben Casparius, who stepped in admirably for Glasnow on Sunday.
Casparius, who has started just one game in his two-year big-league career, struck out five and gave up just two hits in 3.2 innings of early relief for Glasnow against the Pittsburgh Pirates. After the game, Roberts noted that the team is considering him as a starter.
“It’s a thought,” Roberts said, per Plunkett. “He gave us four innings today. He’s unflappable. He flooded the strike zone. And he saved our tails today.”
Casparius has a 2.91 ERA in 21.2 total innings so far this season, logging 23 total strikeouts. As the Dodgers look to buoy their starting rotation throughout what’s sure to be a long season, he could take on a starting role soon.
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