The Promising Start
Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow, standing at a towering 6-foot-8, has always been a striking presence on the mound. In his first year with the Dodgers last season, Glasnow was nothing short of spectacular. He was acquired in the offseason for a hefty $136.5 million, and he lived up to the investment in the first half of the season. Glasnow maintained a sub-3.00 ERA, recording 135 strikeouts in his first 100 innings. His performance earned him his first All-Star selection, and he was well on his way to becoming the ace of the Dodgers’ starting rotation. Manager Dave Roberts praised Glasnow, saying, "When he’s right and synced up, it’s as good as anyone." For a pitcher who has battled injuries throughout his career, this seemed like a turning point.
The Return of Old Problems
Alas, the narrative of Tyler Glasnow’s 2023 season took a turn for the worse. Just before the All-Star break, he was placed on the injured list with lower back tightness, missing the Midsummer Classic. When he returned, the 31-year-old right-hander struggled to regain his form. From June 29 to August 11, he posted a 5.29 ERA over six starts, showing signs of discomfort in his long-limbed delivery. The Dodgers’ rotation was already shorthanded, and Glasnow’s struggles were a significant setback. Matters worsened when he developed elbow tendinitis, which ultimately ended his season despite multiple attempts to return for the playoffs. Roberts succinctly summarized the situation: "He just wasn’t healthy. He really wasn’t."
A Fresh Start in Spring Training
Arriving at spring training with a familiar objective, Glasnow made it clear that his top priority for 2024 was to stay healthy. He kicked off the Cactus League with a one-inning stint in the Dodgers’ 8-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark. Despite yielding a pair of singles and a two-run double to veteran outfielder Austin Hays, Glasnow struck out his first two batters, showing flashes of his dominant form. The small sample size provided a valuable opportunity for Glasnow to test a subtly altered delivery, one he hopes will reduce the stress on his arm. "It was nice to be back out there," Glasnow said after the game. "It’s been a while since being in an actual game. But I felt sharp. I felt good."
A Long History of Injuries
For Glasnow, maintaining health has been a perennial challenge. During his six seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, he never exceeded 120 innings in a single season due to recurring arm troubles. The low point came in 2021 when he underwent Tommy John surgery, a procedure that sidelined him until late the following year. When the Dodgers signed him in 2023, Glasnow was optimistic about leaving his injury woes behind, noting that his elbow had not given him issues since the surgery. However, the elbow tendinitis that sidelined him last season sent him back to the drawing board. Glasnow spent the offseason working with Dodgers coaches and private biomechanical instructors to refine his delivery. He identified a flaw in his old mechanics—flying open too much, similar to a golfer over-rotating on each swing—which put undue stress on his elbow. The solution, Glasnow believes, lies in maintaining a better "spine angle" and keeping his direction toward home plate on every pitch.
Mental and Physical Balancing Act
While the new delivery should help mitigate the physical strain, it presents a mental challenge for Glasnow, who sometimes gets caught in what he describes as a "mechanical headspace." This preoccupation with his mechanics can detract from his ability to execute pitches effectively. Roberts has observed this tendency and emphasized the importance of finding a balance. "He’ll be the first to tell you that he gets a little too mechanical-driven," Roberts said. "When you’re in a big-league ballgame, it’s about executing and competing and getting hitters out." The key, Glasnow believes, is to be "athletic" on the mound—mixing his upper-90s mph fastball with a swing-and-miss combination of sliders and curveballs without overthinking his delivery or worrying about his health. "The theme," Glasnow said, "is just like, ‘I’m gonna try and work on, when I go out in the game, to just be as athletic as I can.’"
A Season of Hope and Expectation
As Glasnow embarks on his second year with the Dodgers, the expectations are high, but so are the uncertainties. While his new delivery offers promise, the true test will be whether it can translate into a healthy, consistent, and full season of pitching. Despite the challenges, Glasnow remains optimistic. This offseason, he has dedicated himself to getting more athletic and refining his delivery. "This whole offseason, he’s been trying to work on getting more athletic, getting his delivery right," Roberts said. "That can kind of take care of his arm, and he’s done that. So now, you got the subtleties of competing, and how to navigate a game." As the Dodgers gear up for the 2024 season, all eyes will be on Tyler Glasnow, hoping that this year will be the one where he finally stays healthy and fulfills his immense potential.
