MLB
Uncertainties surround the Dodgers’ pitching rotation
The Los Angeles franchise recently hired Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow to strengthen the starting rotation in 2024.
The Dodgers entered free agency this winter with the intention of strengthening their pitching rotation for the 2024 season. The Los Angeles franchise’s Achilles’ heel during last year’s playoffs was a shortage of available starters at the start of October. That was evident in the first round postseason clash against the Arizona Diamondbacks when the Dodgers were crushed 3-0 in the best-of-three series.
In the space of two months, the Dodgers went all out and first landed the big fish of this free agency, Shohei Ohtani. However the Japanese star is still sidelined after undergoing surgery in September, which means he will not be able to pitch in 2024. Los Angeles was still looking for starters during the Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tennessee.
A stellar rotation with many doubts
The Dodgers’ second big objective was to sign the most sought-after pitcher this offseason, right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto. After several weeks of negotiations, executives reached an agreement with Yamamoto, who is considered the best pitcher to have emerged from the Japanese Major Leagues. It has been suggested that he can become one of the best in his position over the next decade.
The Dodgers also hired right-hander Tyler Glasnow from the Tampa Bay Rays to reinforce the rotation for the start of the 2024 season. Angeleno manager Dave Roberts currently has at his disposal Glasnow, Yamamoto, Walker Buehler, Bobby Miller and Emmet Sheehan.
This means the Dodgers could have a six-man pitching rotation if they decide to include Ryan Yarbrough, but that remains to be seen. The problem is that Walker Buehler will not be able to pitch full time. He underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2022 which led him to miss all of last season. Another starting pitcher would be required during the first few months of the campaign.
Adding to the little experience of Emmet Sheehan and Bobby Miller in the Majors, just entering their second year, that Glasnow has never pitched more than 156 innings in his career and that Yamamoto will make his official debut in the MLB. The Dodgers should bring in one more star pitcher to include in the rotation in 2024 to give those on the roster a break should they fail to meet expectations.