As the Los Angeles Dodgers push through the final stretch of the regular season, they find themselves wrestling with a series of injuries that could significantly impact their postseason aspirations.
Gavin Stone's Setback
A key concern is the status of right-hander Gavin Stone. Manager Dave Roberts has confirmed that Stone is "very unlikely" to return this season due to persistent shoulder soreness. Stone, who has not pitched since August 31, made 25 starts before his deactivation and performed admirably, posting a 3.53 ERA (111 ERA+) and a 3.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His contributions were pivotal, as evidenced by his estimated 1.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
"I'm not sure," Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman told MLB.com. "I'm optimistic he is going to do everything he possibly can. There's just so much unknown around it that we're going to do all we can to dominate each day, and hopefully, when he starts throwing, he can ramp up from there. It's just hard to speculate right now."
Postseason Pitching Concerns
Stone's absence adds to the Dodgers' growing list of injured pitchers, which includes Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, River Ryan, and Emmet Sheehan. Tyler Glasnow is also dealing with injury issues, further thinning the Dodgers' pitching depth, a critical factor as they eye a deep playoff run.
The Current Rotation
With these setbacks, the Dodgers' current rotation sees Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and Landon Knack taking the mound. Despite the challenges, these pitchers have stepped up to fill the void. However, the consequences of these injuries were evident when Bobby Miller was optioned to Triple-A after a rough outing against the Miami Marlins, where he allowed four runs on seven hits over two innings.
Standings and Playoff Implications
As of Wednesday, the Dodgers hold an 89-62 record and a comfortable 3 1/2 game lead in the National League West. They are also two games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL's second seed but trail the Philadelphia Phillies by the same margin for the top seed. Each win or loss will significantly influence seeding and home-field advantage, making the management of their pitching dilemmas even more critical.
Ultimately, the Dodgers' ability to navigate these injuries over the final games of the season will be crucial. While the team boasts a wealth of talent, the guiding hand of Dave Roberts and the judgment calls from the front office will play a decisive role in their postseason fortunes.