Dodgers Suffer Another Setback with Key Pitcher Placed on Injured List; A Closer Look at LA’s Growing Injury List
The Los Angeles Dodgers have always been a team built around their formidable pitching staff, yet as the 2025 season progresses, their rotation has taken a significant hit. On the heels of an already bumpy start, the news broke that another key pitcher had been placed on the injured list, further complicating the Dodgers’ efforts to maintain their dominance in the National League. The most recent setback marks yet another blow to the Dodgers’ ambitions, and with injuries continuing to pile up, it’s becoming a challenge to envision how they’ll weather this storm.
As of early May, the Dodgers have had to face the reality of multiple key players sidelined due to injuries. While every MLB team inevitably deals with injury woes, the Dodgers’ current situation seems particularly concerning. A deeper dive into their injury report reveals just how much the team is being forced to adjust on the fly. The most recent injury to the pitching staff could have a lasting effect, especially when you factor in the length of time other important players have already spent on the shelf.
The Dodgers’ pitching staff, which has traditionally been one of the most formidable in baseball, now faces questions that it has not been accustomed to. The team recently placed one of its most reliable arms on the injured list, throwing the rotation further into disarray. The timing is particularly unfortunate as the team looks to stay competitive in an ultra-competitive NL West division.
This situation is a part of a larger trend in the 2025 season, one where injuries have been a constant theme for the Dodgers. With several key contributors unavailable, including some who were expected to play pivotal roles, the Dodgers now find themselves testing their depth and resilience in ways they hadn’t anticipated. Some of these injuries are expected to be short-term, but others have left a dark cloud hanging over the team’s overall performance.
For the Dodgers, the loss of a key pitcher from their already thin rotation could put even more pressure on the rest of their bullpen. The lack of pitching depth will require others to step up and perform above their expectations, but that is a tall order. Already, the Dodgers have relied heavily on their star pitchers, and with one more absent, it places additional strain on the remaining arms.
To understand the full scope of the Dodgers’ injury woes, we need to break down some of the key injuries that have impacted the team’s early season performance.
The loss of starting pitchers has been a particularly noticeable issue. Clayton Kershaw, one of the most respected arms in the league, has been dealing with ongoing injuries that have limited his ability to contribute as he once did. Kershaw’s injuries are always closely monitored given his age and the volume of innings he’s accumulated over the course of his illustrious career. While Kershaw remains one of the most dominant pitchers when healthy, his absence from the rotation has forced the Dodgers to dip deeper into their talent pool to fill the gap.
Next, we turn our attention to Walker Buehler. A staple of the Dodgers’ rotation, Buehler has been sidelined for several weeks now with elbow issues that have raised questions about his future availability. While the team is hopeful that Buehler will return in the near future, there’s no clear timeline, and it’s unclear whether he’ll be able to return to full strength immediately upon his return. The lack of clarity surrounding Buehler’s condition leaves the Dodgers in a difficult position, as they were banking on his consistency throughout the season.
Julio UrÃas, another ace in the Dodgers’ rotation, has also dealt with injuries early in the year. Though his absence was initially thought to be a minor issue, it’s taken longer than expected for him to recover. UrÃas’ return to the mound is critical for the Dodgers as they try to stay within reach of the leaders in the division. Having him sidelined for an extended period further complicates their plans, leaving even more innings to be covered by unproven arms.
It’s not just the starting rotation that is feeling the strain, though. The bullpen, once a major strength for the Dodgers, has now faced injuries that have decimated their depth. A number of key relief pitchers have either been placed on the injured list or are recovering from recent setbacks. These bullpen arms are vital for keeping the pressure off the starting rotation, but with several sidelined, the team has had to rely more heavily on its starters to go deeper into games.
The Dodgers’ offense, though still potent, has also been impacted by injuries. With several key hitters on the shelf, the lineup has been forced to adjust. Star outfielder Mookie Betts and first baseman Freddie Freeman have carried the team in terms of run production, but they can only do so much. With several important contributors missing from the lineup, the Dodgers have struggled to maintain their offensive firepower. The absence of some of these stars has put additional pressure on the supporting players to step up, something that has been challenging with so many injuries to contend with.
One of the most concerning aspects of the injury situation in Los Angeles is the lack of clarity on when key players will return. For a team with championship aspirations, injuries at this point in the season are particularly problematic. As the Dodgers continue to fight through the early-season hurdles, they find themselves at a crossroads. The players they had penciled in to lead them to another successful season are now unavailable, forcing the team to rely on its depth more than ever.
Injuries are always a part of the game, but the Dodgers find themselves in a precarious situation. How many more injuries can the team endure before it starts affecting their ability to compete? The loss of key pitchers, combined with the absence of essential position players, has the potential to derail their season if they can’t weather the storm. At this point, the Dodgers’ injury list is a mix of uncertainty, with fans left hoping that their stars can return soon enough to keep the team in contention.
So, how many players are currently out for the Dodgers? As of now, there are several players listed on the injured list. Beyond Kershaw, Buehler, UrÃas, and the bullpen contributors, the Dodgers are also missing some role players who were expected to be key contributors throughout the season. These injuries have created a domino effect, forcing manager Dave Roberts to constantly shift his lineup and pitching rotation.
The front office, led by president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, is certainly keeping a close eye on these injuries. As much as the Dodgers have built a deep roster over the years, injuries to key players can put even the most well-constructed teams into a tailspin. The front office will have to weigh its options carefully as the season progresses, especially as the trade deadline approaches. Depth and flexibility are critical, but there’s only so much the team can do without its stars fully healthy.
The question for the Dodgers now is not just about how many players are out, but how long they can keep competing at a high level while dealing with such adversity. The team has proven it can overcome obstacles in the past, but this season presents new challenges that require creative solutions. How the Dodgers manage their injury crisis will be one of the biggest storylines of the 2025 season, and it will likely determine whether they can remain in contention for a playoff spot.
For now, the Dodgers are focused on surviving the storm. But with so many key players sidelined, the question remains: How long can they stay afloat before the tide turns too much in favor of their competitors? The injury bug has certainly hit them hard, but if they can navigate this difficult period, they may just have what it takes to bounce back and make a run at the postseason. The Dodgers’ resilience will be tested in the coming months, and only time will tell if they can overcome the mounting injuries and emerge stronger on the other side.
