Dodgers Face Injury Challenges Ahead of Series Opener in Baltimore

In a surprising turn of events, the Los Angeles Dodgers have made a significant adjustment to their pitching lineup ahead of tonight’s series opener against the Baltimore Orioles. Tyler Glasnow, who was initially slated to take the mound, is sidelined due to reported back stiffness. In his place, the Dodgers have opted to elevate Shohei Ohtani from his scheduled start on Monday, a decision made by manager Dave Roberts as a precautionary measure.

Roberts expressed optimism regarding Glasnow’s condition, indicating that the team hopes the right-handed pitcher will be ready to return for a home start against the Colorado Rockies early next week. Should Glasnow’s back issue improve, he could seamlessly swap places with Ohtani, who will now pitch earlier than planned. The Dodgers still have Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Clayton Kershaw lined up for the remaining games in the Orioles series, ensuring that the team maintains a strong rotation despite the setback.

Glasnow’s injury comes as a concern, especially considering his previous struggles with shoulder inflammation earlier this season, which kept him out for a couple of months. Since his activation on July 9, he has performed admirably, posting a 3.41 ERA and striking out 29% of batters faced across 14 starts. Last season, he experienced a brief stint on the injured list due to back tightness, but the timing allowed the Dodgers to manage his innings effectively.

Compounding the Dodgers’ injury woes is the situation surrounding catcher Will Smith. After taking a foul ball to his throwing hand on Wednesday, Smith has missed the last two games and is currently dealing with a bone bruise that will require management for the remainder of the season. While the team is hopeful that he can avoid an injured list stint, Smith is not expected to play this weekend.

In response to Smith’s injury, the Dodgers have made a roster move by selecting Ben Rortvedt to provide a third catcher on the active roster. Rortvedt will back up Dalton Rushing, who was thrust into the starting role but was forced to leave tonight’s game after sustaining a right lower leg contusion from another foul ball. Initial x-rays returned negative, but further evaluation via a CT scan is necessary, and Rushing has already been ruled out for tomorrow’s game.

This injury to Rushing may prompt the Dodgers to make yet another roster adjustment, potentially bringing up Chuckie Robinson, a player who has yet to see action in the majors this season but has 51 games of MLB experience under his belt. Robinson’s Triple-A stats show a .264/.349/.368 line, which could provide the Dodgers with some much-needed depth behind the plate.

As the Dodgers navigate these injury challenges, they are also managing their roster carefully. The recent injury to Smith has already cost Alexis Díaz his spot on the 40-man roster, as he was designated for assignment to accommodate Rortvedt. With the possibility of needing to drop another player to maintain roster flexibility, the Dodgers are in a tight spot as they aim to keep their postseason hopes alive.

With the season entering its final stretch, the Dodgers will need to rely on their depth and resilience to overcome these hurdles. Fans will be watching closely as the team adjusts to the evolving situation, hoping for quick recoveries and continued success on the field.