Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2025
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers put Evan Phillips with forearm tightness on the IL. This is a huge loss for the Dodgers. Any time a baseball fan or writer hears a forearm issue for a pitcher, he thinks Tommy John surgery is inevitable, and the Dodgers’ bullpen is exhausted. The team must figure out how to use their bullpen less.
Phillips, 30, has been a major part of the Dodger bullpen since joining the Dodgers in August 2021. He has been a Dodger closer from 2022 to July 2024. In the postseason, he had a slight tear in the rotator cuff, which prevented him from pitching in the World Series.
Although a PRP injection solved the problem, Phillips was on the IL to start the season. Since April 16th, Phillips has performed outstandingly. Over his 7 appearances in the 2025 season, he has allowed no runs, has 6 strikeouts, and has a 1.06 WHIP.
According to Dave Roberts, Phillips could have pitched on Wednesday, but the Dodgers don’t know when Phillips would be able to pitch again. Roberts expects Phillips to come off the IL on the earliest day possible.
So far this season, the Dodgers’ bullpen has hurled 161 innings in 37 games, averaging about 5 innings per start. Roberts is correct that this is not sustainable. The Dodgers must quit having bullpen games, and Dodger starters must go longer than they have.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the ace of the starters, has been pitched enough per start to save the bullpen. On Thursday, Yamamoto might have a short start against the Arizona Diamondbacks since it will be the first time this season, he pitches with five days’ rest. Roki Sasaki, a youngster, is getting better and longer outings, but as Yamamoto might have, Sasaki might have a short outing.
Blake Snell made two starts, five innings and four innings respectively, and nobody knows when Snell will return to the starting rotation. This week he was scheduled to start a throwing program, but he has been under the weather.
During spring training, the Dodgers expected Tyler Glasnow to be their ace, but it didn’t happen. When Glasnow is healthy, he is one of the nastiest right-handed major league starters. Glasnow hasn’t been healthy for most of his career. This season, Glasnow struggled. In his last start, he pitched only one inning, and his start against the Philadelphia Phillies lasted two innings since he couldn’t adapt to the rainy conditions.
Nobody knows when Glasnow will return to the starting rotation. He blamed his modified delivery for his overall body soreness, he was fine with it during spring training. Glasnow appears to be lacking the necessary mental toughness. He must find a comfortable delivery.
Dustin May has an inconsistent return to the starting rotation after missing two years, as expected. At first, he was brilliant, but in his last three starts, he has struggled with his command, cutting the length of his starts. The Dodgers need May to find his command again, so he can pitch at least six innings.
Tony Gonsolin has been excellent in his return from Tommy John surgery, but both starts were against the Miami Marlins.
Soon, Clayton Kershaw will return to the starting rotation, and he understands the importance of going long in his starts if he is able. No one will question Kershaw’s mental toughness.
Ben Casparius will join the rotation at some point. So far, he has been excellent, except in one outing against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium.
Michael Kopech is on his way back to the Dodgers’ bullpen. His right shoulder infringement has been slow to recover, but soon, he will be going on a rehabilitation assignment.
Every Dodger reliever is tired, affecting their effectiveness. If the Dodgers continue using their own bullpen as much as they have, they won’t return to the World Series.
