The Los Angeles Dodgers should be feeling good about themselves right now. They have the second best record in the National League, and despite the fact that the NL West will be a dogfight to the very end, the Dodgers have an ownership group that will spend whatever it takes to bring the team another title.
That willingness to spend may be tested again at the trade deadline. The Dodgers rotation is a major question mark, especially now that Walker Buehler is on the Injured List with a flexor strain and will not be back “for a while.”
Los Angeles Dodgers rotation suddenly a question mark
This is yet another blow to the Dodgers’ Opening Day rotation. Buehler may not be back until September if he does return at all this year. Clayton Kershaw has already missed five weeks and has not been a paragon of health lately. Andrew Heaney may return in another week, but he has been on the IL since April 20. Tony Gonsolin has thrown 57 innings this year and that is already the most he has pitched in the majors. Julio Urias, meanwhile, has the tenth most innings pitched since the beginning of 2021.
Likewise, it is not easy to have much confidence in some of the Dodgers’ successes. Tyler Anderson is in the midst of a career season although it is fair to wonder how long this will last. The Dodgers’ spot starters from the minors have been hit or miss at best. And then there is the major cloud of Trevor Bauer hanging over everything.
Yes, there are options that are set to return at some point. Heaney should be back soon while Dustin May and Danny Duffy are expected back this year. However, depending on players whose health is questionable at best, and pitchers with shaky track records, is not a formula that will lead to a title.
Losing Walker Buehler is a major blow for the Los Angeles Dodgers. It is time for the Dodgers to be concerned with their starting rotation.