A New Lease onpitching for the Dodgers
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Los Angeles Dodgers, who struggled mightily with their pitching last season, are looking to bounce back in a big way. During the playoffs, the Dodgers’ starting pitchers were hampered by injuries, leading to short stints and a heavy reliance on their bullpen. This resulted in a 4.50 ERA, the ninth among the 12 playoff teams, and a 5.25 ERA for their starters, the 11th-worst. Despite these challenges, the Dodgers managed to win the World Series in five games over the New York Yankees, but it was a tough road, with two bullpen games needed to secure the victory. This season, the Dodgers are poised to address these issues head-on with a significant investment in their pitching staff and the return of several veteran starters from injury.
Reinforcements Arrive
Manager Dave Roberts, speaking before a Cactus League game at Camelback Ranch, expressed optimism about the team’s new depth. "It’s just great now that we have such depth," he said. "Hopefully, those bullpen games should be a thing of the past." The Dodgers have added Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki as free agents, bolstering a rotation that already includes Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, and the anticipated return of Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw, who is 32 strikeouts away from reaching 3,000, underwent foot and knee surgery and is expected to return to the mound by June. This influx of talent means the Dodgers can now focus on maintaining a healthy and effective rotation throughout the season.
The Free Agent Haul
The Dodgers’ spending spree in the offseason has been nothing short of impressive. They are allocating $199 million of their record $392.5 million Major League Baseball payroll (by luxury tax rules) on pitching. Kershaw, in what could be his 18th and final season with the Dodgers, signed a new contract for $7.5 million, emphasizing the team’s commitment to keeping their veteran talent. President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman highlighted the significance of having Kershaw back in Dodger blue. "We can’t say we’re ever done. That’s not in our DNA," Friedman said. "But we feel really good about the talent under this roof right now." The addition of free agent relievers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates further solidifies the bullpen, ensuring that the Dodgers are well-prepared for any situation.
Shohei Ohtani’s Double Threat
Shohei Ohtani, the two-way sensation, is a key part of the Dodgers’ plans. Despite his second reconstructive right elbow surgery, Ohtani is making remarkable progress. In his third bullpen session of the spring, he threw 25 crisp pitches, hitting 95 mph on the radar gun, according to Roberts. Ohtani’s last pitch came on August 23, 2023, during his final season with the Los Angeles Angels. His unique talent as both a pitcher and a hitter makes him a valuable asset, and the Dodgers are cautiously optimistic about his return. "As long as I hit my benchmarks—my bullpen and batting practice sessions—I’m confident I’ll be on schedule," Ohtani said through his interpreter. "Again, always paying close attention to how I feel."
The International Stage
The Dodgers will kick off their regular season in Japan, playing the Chicago Cubs at Tokyo Dome on March 18-19. This international trip comes just months before Ichiro Suzuki, a Japanese baseball legend, is inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 27. Roberts and the team are thrilled about the opportunity to bring baseball to Japan, especially with the return of former Nippon Professional Baseball greats and teammates Yamamoto and Sasaki. Both players were part of Japan’s victorious 2023 World Baseball Classic squad, and their homecoming will be a significant moment for baseball fans in Japan. "I’m thrilled about it," Roberts said. "I think it’s great for baseball."
The Future of Clayton Kershaw
While the Dodgers are excited about their new talent, they are also mindful of the veteran presence in Kershaw. The 36-year-old left-hander is unsure about how long he wants to continue playing, but he is determined to finish his career as a Dodger. "I didn’t put enough merit on that during my entire career," Kershaw reflected. "But playing with one team, it is special." His career has been marked by a pattern of injury, surgery, and recovery, ending his 2023 season early due to a toe injury. Kershaw will be on his own schedule working back into form and is expected to be placed on the 60-day injury list at the start of the season. Despite this, his return is anticipated to be a significant boost to the team, and Roberts is keeping an open mind about how to integrate him back into the rotation.
The Dodgers’ offseason moves and the pending returns of key players have set the stage for a promising 2024 season. With a strong and deep pitching staff, they are well-positioned to avoid the pitfalls of the past and aim for another World Series championship.
