Los Angeles Dodgers Reportedly Weighing Bullpen Move for Struggling Starter as Rotation Concerns Continue to Mount in Crucial Stretch
The Los Angeles Dodgers are no strangers to midseason adversity, but 2025 has presented a particularly frustrating puzzle for the National League powerhouse. Despite another strong overall campaign, cracks have begun to show in their starting rotation—cracks serious enough that the front office and coaching staff are reportedly considering a bold move: shifting a struggling starter to the bullpen.
While no official decision has been made, multiple sources close to the organization suggest the Dodgers are actively weighing whether to reassign right-hander Gavin Stone to a relief role following a string of poor starts. Once considered one of the most promising young arms in the Dodgers’ system, Stone has failed to deliver the consistency expected of a mid-rotation arm. And in a division and league that demand excellence every fifth day, the Dodgers may have no choice but to pivot.
Stone, 26, entered the season with high expectations following an impressive spring and a strong finish to 2024. Armed with a heavy sinker, a deceptive changeup, and a developing slider, he looked like a breakout candidate. But through the first half of 2025, results have been anything but encouraging. Stone currently holds an ERA north of 5.00 and has failed to complete five innings in several recent outings. Command issues have plagued him, and opposing hitters are making consistent, loud contact—turning once-promising starts into early exits.
Manager Dave Roberts, known for his patience with young pitchers, hasn’t ruled out a change but has acknowledged the urgency of the situation. “We’re trying to put Gavin in the best position to succeed,” Roberts said after a recent outing. “There’s still a lot of belief in his talent, but we also have to look at what helps the team win in the short term.”
That “short term” reality is a crucial part of this equation. The Dodgers are in a tight race in the NL West and are simultaneously trying to conserve innings for October. With Clayton Kershaw still sidelined as he recovers from surgery, and Walker Buehler gradually ramping up after a rocky return, the Dodgers’ margin for error is shrinking. Veteran arms like Tyler Glasnow and Bobby Miller have provided stability, but the back end of the rotation remains fluid. Stone’s struggles, combined with the team’s postseason ambitions, are forcing Roberts and the front office to explore unconventional solutions.
Transitioning a starter to the bullpen midseason is not unprecedented, especially for a team like the Dodgers. In fact, they’ve done it successfully before. Julio Urías, for instance, made his bones as a multi-inning weapon out of the bullpen during the team’s 2020 title run before establishing himself as a full-time starter. The move can offer a struggling pitcher a chance to reset, simplify their pitch mix, and regain confidence in shorter bursts. For Stone, whose struggles often compound the deeper he gets into games, such a change might be precisely what he needs.
There’s also a strategic incentive behind the shift. The Dodgers’ bullpen has been solid but not elite in 2025, particularly in the middle innings. Injuries to key relievers like Brusdar Graterol and Joe Kelly have created a void, and the team is lacking a true long-relief option who can bridge the gap when a starter falters. Stone, with his starter’s stamina and ability to miss bats, could fill that role. It’s a way to keep his arm active and potentially rediscover his groove against hitters who are less likely to have seen him multiple times in a game.
Still, the decision isn’t an easy one. Moving a starter to the bullpen midseason can have psychological ramifications. Some pitchers view it as a demotion, and the adjustment to a different preparation routine can be difficult. The Dodgers’ player development team is keenly aware of this and would need to carefully manage Stone’s mindset if they go down this path.
Stone, for his part, has maintained professionalism in the face of mounting scrutiny. “I’m just trying to get better every time out,” he told reporters after his latest start. “I know I haven’t been at my best, but I believe in my stuff. If there’s a role where I can help the team win, I’ll do it.”
That kind of maturity could ease the transition, should it come to pass. But Stone isn’t the only starter the Dodgers have concerns about. Emmet Sheehan has also dealt with inconsistencies, and even veteran Ryan Yarbrough—despite his experience—hasn’t been particularly sharp. However, Stone’s trajectory and profile make him the likeliest candidate for a bullpen experiment.
It’s also worth noting that the timing of such a move would align with the Dodgers’ broader trade deadline strategy. As the deadline approaches, the Dodgers are widely expected to pursue at least one starting pitcher, possibly two if health concerns persist. Names like Garrett Crochet, Jesús Luzardo, and Jack Flaherty have been floated in trade rumors, and acquiring any one of them could push current starters further down the depth chart. In that scenario, Stone becoming a bullpen asset rather than a Triple-A demotion candidate would be an ideal middle ground.
And from a competitive standpoint, the Dodgers can’t afford to experiment for much longer. The San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks are both hanging tough in the division, and the NL Wild Card picture is crowded. Every loss magnifies the importance of the next decision, and carrying underperforming starters just for the sake of development could end up costing them valuable postseason seeding.
For fans, the possibility of Stone moving to the bullpen is bittersweet. He was viewed by many as a cornerstone of the next generation of Dodgers pitching. But baseball, especially on a team with World Series aspirations, is about adaptability. If Stone can become a shutdown reliever, even temporarily, that contribution could be just as valuable as a five-inning start every five days—especially in October.
Roberts and pitching coach Mark Prior have been cautious in how they’ve handled this conversation publicly, but insiders suggest that internal discussions have intensified in recent weeks. The team has even experimented with using Stone in simulated relief scenarios between starts to gauge his comfort level. So far, the early feedback has been positive, though nothing definitive has been announced.
Looking forward, the next few weeks will be critical. If the Dodgers make a rotation upgrade at the trade deadline, and Stone continues to struggle in his outings, the writing may be on the wall. Alternatively, if Stone thrives in a bullpen role, he could become one of the team’s most important weapons down the stretch—a high-leverage arm capable of eating innings and neutralizing right-handed hitters with his devastating changeup.
In the meantime, the Dodgers remain tight-lipped about their next move, insisting that they are focused on “one game at a time.” But make no mistake: the decision looms large. Roberts, Andrew Friedman, and the entire Dodgers brain trust know that every pitching decision from here on out carries postseason implications. Whether Stone stays in the rotation or becomes the newest member of the bullpen brigade, the Dodgers’ pursuit of another championship will continue to shape how they deploy their talent.
For now, Gavin Stone remains a starter in name. But in practice, his role may already be evolving—and if history is any indicator, the Dodgers aren’t afraid to make tough choices in pursuit of October glory.
