Los Angeles Dodgers Scramble to Patch Together Injured Pitching Staff as Rotation Depth Becomes Major Concern in Crucial Stretch
The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the 2025 season with sky-high expectations, armed with one of the most powerful lineups in baseball and bolstered by the addition of superstar Shohei Ohtani. But while the offense has largely lived up to the hype, the story on the mound has been one of relentless attrition, as injury after injury has decimated the Dodgers’ once-promising pitching staff. As the summer heats up and the playoff race tightens, Los Angeles now finds itself in a precarious position: scrambling to find healthy arms just to get through games.
It’s been a season defined not just by who is pitching, but by who isn’t. The Dodgers have seen multiple starters hit the injured list, including key rotation pieces like Walker Buehler, Dustin May, and Clayton Kershaw. The bullpen, once a source of stability, has also taken heavy hits, with Daniel Hudson and Brusdar Graterol among the relievers nursing injuries. What was once considered one of the deepest staffs in the league has been reduced to a patchwork group of rookies, journeymen, and relievers stretched beyond their usual roles.
The front office, led by president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, has spent the better part of the last two months scouring the waiver wire, exploring trades, and promoting minor leaguers in a desperate attempt to stabilize the rotation and bullpen. But the situation remains critical. With innings piling up and reliable options dwindling, the Dodgers are staring down a harsh reality: they may need to survive the next several weeks with little more than duct tape and grit on the mound.
“We’re doing everything we can to manage workloads and keep guys fresh,” manager Dave Roberts said recently. “It’s definitely not ideal, but this is the hand we’ve been dealt, and we’re going to compete with whoever we have available.”
That sense of urgency has been reflected in how the team has handled the rotation. Young arms like Gavin Stone and Landon Knack have been thrust into roles earlier than expected, facing the daunting task of filling the shoes of All-Star veterans. At times, they’ve shown flashes of potential — Stone, in particular, has delivered a few gritty outings — but consistency has been elusive. The learning curve at the major league level is steep, especially when you’re facing the likes of the Padres, Braves, or Phillies in high-leverage games.
Meanwhile, openers and bullpen games have become a regular feature of the Dodgers’ schedule, as the staff tries to cobble together nine innings any way they can. Relievers are being asked to stretch out beyond their comfort zones, sometimes throwing multiple innings on short rest. Long relievers like Ryan Yarbrough and Michael Grove have seen their roles expand dramatically, often carrying the burden of absorbing innings in games where the Dodgers don’t have a traditional starter available.
This sort of constant juggling wears on a bullpen, both physically and mentally. With no clear end to the injury woes in sight, Roberts and his staff are walking a tightrope, trying to avoid overusing the few healthy arms they still have. It’s a balancing act that becomes harder with each passing series.
Perhaps the most frustrating part for the Dodgers is that the talent is there — it’s just not available. Walker Buehler, once viewed as the ace of the future, has struggled to regain form following Tommy John surgery and is currently sidelined with lingering elbow soreness. Dustin May, whose electric stuff tantalized fans and scouts alike, is recovering from flexor tendon surgery and is not expected back until late in the season, if at all. And Clayton Kershaw, the heart and soul of the staff for over a decade, remains out with a shoulder injury, with no firm timetable for return.
Even Shohei Ohtani, who was expected to return to the mound in 2025 after his own elbow procedure, is only contributing as a designated hitter this year. His absence as a two-way player has left a massive hole in the rotation. Had he been available to pitch, the Dodgers’ current situation would look vastly different.
The injuries have also forced the Dodgers to make difficult roster decisions. Pitchers like Emmet Sheehan and Kyle Hurt, once considered depth options, have been placed into rotation spots out of sheer necessity. Some have responded well; others have struggled under the bright lights of the big leagues. The lack of a consistent rotation has also put extra pressure on the offense to carry the load, which, while capable, isn’t sustainable over the long haul.
Despite all of this, the Dodgers remain competitive. The offense — anchored by Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Ohtani — continues to put up runs in bunches. Defensive versatility and veteran leadership have helped mask some of the pitching problems. But as the calendar inches closer to the trade deadline, the urgency to reinforce the staff is growing by the day.
Friedman and the front office have a reputation for being aggressive and creative at the trade deadline, and this year may demand their boldest work yet. Rumors have already begun to swirl around potential trade targets like Chicago White Sox starter Garrett Crochet or Detroit Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal — frontline arms who could immediately upgrade the rotation. But with high demand and limited supply, prices will be steep. The Dodgers may need to part with some of their top prospects if they want to land an impact pitcher.
There’s also the risk-reward calculation: do the Dodgers push hard for pitching help this year, knowing that many of their arms will return in 2026? Or do they weather the storm and bank on their offense and bullpen creativity to get them through the next few months? The answer may depend on how well the team holds up over the next few weeks — and whether more injuries occur.
One silver lining in all of this turmoil has been the emergence of new talent. Prospects getting real innings in meaningful games will pay dividends down the road. And some players, like Gavin Stone, have shown they belong at the major league level. The Dodgers have long prided themselves on developing pitching depth, and while this crisis has tested that philosophy to its limits, it’s also proving the value of a strong farm system.
Still, development takes time, and the Dodgers are trying to win now. Every game counts in a competitive National League, and even a short losing streak caused by thin pitching can have long-term playoff implications. That’s why each bullpen game, each emergency call-up, and each bullpen session feels like a high-wire act.
Dave Roberts has praised the resilience of his team throughout the adversity. “These guys haven’t made excuses,” he said. “They’ve shown up every day, taken the ball when asked, and given everything they have. That’s all you can ask for.”
But at some point, effort needs to be supported by reinforcements. Whether through trades, waiver claims, or unexpected recoveries, the Dodgers will need more help on the mound if they hope to survive the summer and make a deep postseason run. Because while talent wins games, pitching wins championships — and right now, the Dodgers are running dangerously low.
The coming weeks will be pivotal. The trade deadline looms large, injured stars are working their way back slowly, and the standings continue to tighten. For the Dodgers, the challenge is clear: hold the line, find innings wherever they can, and trust that the cavalry — in whatever form it arrives — shows up in time.
Until then, it’s all hands on deck. Because in a season filled with hope and hype, the Dodgers now face their greatest test — one not of power or potential, but of perseverance and survival.
