LOS ANGELES — Throughout the spring, the Dodgers have resisted the idea of adopting a six-man rotation despite injuries to several starters in their rotation (Tyler Glasnow and James Paxton for now, Walker Buehler eventually) and the story of Yoshinobu Yamamoto who only pitched once. a week in Japan.
But they’re going to do what they can to make sure every starter gets at least five days off between starts – which is pretty much the same thing.
“I think it’s fair,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts admitted Monday.
To that end, Roberts said the Dodgers would resort to a “bullpen game” Tuesday night against the San Francisco Giants, pushing Glasnow’s next start to Wednesday — giving him five days off since his start against the Cardinals from St. Louis at home. opening last Thursday.
The Dodgers are off Thursday to travel to Chicago, giving the rest of the rotation an extra day of rest.
“The impetus came from the fact that we wanted to make sure Tyler, Bobby (Miller), all those guys got an extra day,” Roberts said of the decision to hold a bullpen game relievers on Tuesday.
Left-hander Ryan Yarbrough (who pitched the final three innings of last week’s home opener) will be in the pitching plan Tuesday, Roberts said.
“I wouldn’t say it’s threading a needle, but you have to get a certain length out of your entries,” Roberts said. “Having guys on your roster that can go multiple (innings) definitely helps. And what Yarbs did for us the other night, what we expect from him tomorrow night, it certainly allows us a lot of flexibility.
The Giants, meanwhile, will start Logan Webb and Kyle Harrison in the next two games, delaying two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell’s debut with his new team until after the series in Los Angeles.
HEYWARD OUT
Jason Heyward was not in the lineup Monday night and was not at the stadium. The 34-year-old outfielder has suffered from persistent back stiffness since the Freeway Series and was examined by Dr. Robert Watkins.
“This last one in the Freeway Series, it got tighter during batting practice,” Roberts said. “Then yesterday, as he was getting loose during the game, he was just having a harder time getting loose. He came back today still a little sore and stiff. So we decided to give it a day today.
Roberts said Heyward would “probably get some images” as part of his visit with Dr. Watkins to determine the extent of the problem. Heyward’s status will be reevaluated following the review.
Heyward began Season 3 with a 14 (.214) record with two RBIs in four games.
PROGRESS OF EMERGENCY WORKERS
Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) and Blake Treinen (bruised lung, ribs) are on parallel tracks in their recovery but Graterol appears to be closer to a return.
Both have a long history of throwing up to 150 feet, but Graterol said he expects to throw off a mound for the first time on Tuesday. Treinen said he might throw lightly off a mound before the Dodgers leave town Thursday.
Graterol said his shoulder feels “good” and he can’t wait to get back.
“It’s been tough because I’m supposed to be in the bullpen,” he said. “But it’s like that.”
Treinen, meanwhile, said he was “going in the right direction” after making a line run to the right side in his last Cactus League appearance.
“It’s frustrating having lived with the shoulder for two years and now this,” said Treinen who underwent shoulder surgery in November 2022. “But we’re trying to make sure everything is OK. is a concerted effort by all parties.
ALSO
The Dodgers swapped relievers in their bullpen, adding right-hander Dinelson Lamet and designating right-hander Nabil Crismatt for assignment on Monday. Crismatt pitched two scoreless innings and earned the win on Sunday. Lament had a 2.45 ERA in four spring appearances with the Dodgers.
FOLLOWING
Giants (RHP Logan Webb, 0-0, 3.00 ERA) at Dodgers (TBA), Tuesday, 7:10 p.m., TBS, 570 AM
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