ATLANTA — Tyler Glasnow was slated to throw a two-inning simulated sport at Truist Park on Friday, a major step in the correct course to his availability atop the beginning rotation within the postseason.
However as Glasnow was about 20 pitches into his warmup earlier than stepping out onto the sector, the right-hander complained as soon as once more about discomfort in his proper elbow. After a fast dialogue, the Dodgers and Glasnow canceled the simulated sport, a doubtlessly devastating setback for the 30-year-old right-hander.
“He simply felt some discomfort in his arm,” stated Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts earlier than his workforce’s 6-2 loss to the Braves. “We felt we must always reduce it quick and couldn’t undergo with the sim sport. Clearly, it’s a setback. I don’t know what which means so far as the approaching days. I simply know we’re going to re-assess and see how he feels over the approaching days, see the place we are able to decide up throwing once more.”
Glasnow will bear an MRI over the weekend, which ought to give the Dodgers a greater concept of a timetable. However given the Dodgers entered Friday’s sport with simply 16 video games left within the common season, Glasnow’s common season has probably come to an finish. His postseason availability is now additionally in query.
“I don’t know if we have now margins anymore. It’s unlucky,” stated Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior. “We’ll see the place he’s at tonight and tomorrow morning. I can’t actually converse to the place we’re at with something as a result of I actually don’t know apart from, by not throwing at this time, that’s a priority and a crimson flag. … Possibly it’s a hiccup and we are able to proceed. However there’s additionally an opportunity that it may not be and clearly it’ll be devastating.”
Glasnow, who signed a five-year, $136.5 million extension after being acquired from the Rays this offseason, was introduced in to be one of many high pitchers within the rotation. The fitting-hander surpassed his profession excessive in innings with 134 innings this season and made his first All-Star workforce within the first half, however he landed on the injured listing in mid-August a day earlier than making his scheduled begin towards the Cardinals in St. Louis.
Over the course of his profession, Glasnow has handled proper elbow and forearm accidents which have reduce his season quick. However after present process Tommy John surgical procedure in ‘22, Glasnow and the Dodgers have been assured these points have been behind him.
The Dodgers will now need to weigh his earlier harm historical past together with his availability the remainder of the best way.
“It’s a giant a part of the equation,” Roberts stated. “So clearly the place we’re at within the calendar — however his well being is most vital. How we construct him up, how we get him pain-free, all these are conversations he’s received to have with the coaching workers to see the place we’re at. All I do know proper now’s that we couldn’t end the simulated sport at this time. That’s telling in a number of senses.”
With Glasnow now probably unavailable to start out the postseason, the Dodgers will want others to step up within the rotation. Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are the workforce’s finest two choices. Behind them, there are some actual query marks.
Clayton Kershaw and Gavin Stone are nonetheless recovering from their respective accidents and it’s unclear when or in the event that they’ll return this season. Walker Buehler is an choice now for the Dodgers, as is rookie Landon Knack.
Knack’s newest audition, nevertheless, didn’t go as deliberate. The Braves received to Knack within the first inning of Friday’s collection opener for a run, however the right-hander actually struggled in a 44-pitch second inning, wherein he allowed a pair of two-run homers to Gio Urshela and Jorge Soler.
Ultimately, Knack allowed 5 runs on seven hits and lasted simply two innings, the shortest outing of his profession. The Dodgers’ bullpen, which has been relied upon closely amidst the flurry of accidents to the beginning rotation, stored Los Angeles within the sport however the harm had been performed.
“My message to Landon on the bench was that it occurred, he’s had nothing however good outings for us. This was a nasty one. Let’s wash it and transfer on,” Roberts stated. “I believe he’s undoubtedly put his title within the dialog. I believe the best way he has pitched this 12 months, he’s going to get a very good look the subsequent couple of weeks to see if he continues to earn that chance.”