LOS ANGELES — Throughout the spring, the Dodgers resisted the idea of adopting a six-man rotation despite the injury history of multiple starters in their rotation (Tyler Glasnow and James Paxton for now, Walker Buehler eventually) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s history of pitching just once a week in Japan.
But they are going to do what they can to make sure each starter gets at least five days off between starts – which is kind of the same thing.
“I think that’s fair,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged on Monday
Toward that end, Roberts said the Dodgers will resort to a “bullpen game” on Tuesday night against the San Francisco Giants, pushing Glasnow’s next start back to Wednesday – giving him five days off since his start against the St. Louis Cardinals in the home opener last Thursday.
The Dodgers are off Thursday to travel to Chicago, giving the rest of the rotation an extra day of rest.
“The impetus is because we wanted to make sure that Tyler, Bobby (Miller), all these guys are getting an extra day,” Roberts said of the decision to go with a bullpen game on Tuesday.
Left-hander Ryan Yarbrough (who pitched the final three innings of the home opener last week) will figure into the pitching plan on Tuesday, Roberts said.
“I wouldn’t say it’s threading a needle, but you have to get some length from your starters,” Roberts said. “Having guys on your roster that can go multiples (innings) is certainly helpful. And what Yarbs did for us the other night, what we expect him to do 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 been bothered by persistent back stiffness since the Freeway Series and went to be examined by Dr. Robert Watkins.
“That last one of the Freeway Series, it tightened up during batting practice,” Roberts said. “Then yesterday, as he was getting loose during the game, just had a harder time getting loose. He came in today again a little sore, stiff. So we decided to give him a day today.”
Roberts said Heyward will “probably get some imaging” as part of his visit with Dr. Watkins to determine the extent of the problem. Heyward’s status will be re-evaluated after the examination.
Heyward has started the season 3 for 14 (.214) with two RBIs in four games.
RELIEVERS PROGRESS
Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) and Blake Treinen (bruised lung, ribs) are on parallel tracks in their recovery but Graterol seems to be closer to returning.
Both are long-tossing out 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 on Thursday.
Graterol said his shoulder feels “great” and he is anxious to return.
“It’s been hard because I’m supposed to be out there in the bullpen,” he said. “But it is what it is.”
Treinen, meanwhile, said he is “trending in the right direction” after taking a line drive to the right side in his final Cactus League appearance.
“It’s frustrating that I’ve been through two years with the shoulder and now this,” said Treinen who had shoulder surgery in November 2022. “But we’re trying to make sure it’s right. It’s a concerted effort on all parts.”
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 got the win on Sunday. Lament had a 2.45 ERA in four spring appearances with the Dodgers.
UP NEXT
Giants (RHP Logan Webb, 0-0, 3.00 ERA) at Dodgers (TBA), Tuesday, 7:10 p.m., TBS, 570 AM
