The Dodgers, having recently rebounded from an early-season slump, now face fresh injury woes, unsettling their pitching rotation. Despite a commanding 9–2 win over the Pirates, certain parts are getting messy. Why? Because of their veteran right-hander, Tyler Glasnow. With the 2x Cy Young Award winner, Blake Snell, already sidelined with injury, the Dodgers now need to work without Glasnow, as well. Amidst all that, Manager Dave Roberts has reportedly got a wild-card entrant.

Well, the first name that is rumored to take Glasnow’s spot is the Pirates’ ace, Andrew Heaney. “The Dodgers must make a decision soon, and Andrew Heaney of the Pirates should be included in the list of potential acquisitions,” Chosun.com quoted Newsweek.

For starters, Heaney has been a model of consistency this season, posting a 1.72 ERA across five starts. While the Pirates are unlikely to contend for a championship this year, there’s a strong likelihood they’ll look to move Heaney before the trade deadline. However, will the Dodgers move to get Heaney?

Well, to remind you, Heaney had a brief career with the Dodgers in 2022. But will that matter? Because Roberts might have gotten a better name.

Ben Casparius. He had a standout 2024 season in the minors, showcasing his potential as a reliable starting pitcher. Splitting time between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City, he made 21 appearances, starting 19 of them. This includes compiling a 6–4 record with a 3.35 ERA over 88.2 innings.

This figure was enough for Casparius to earn a call-up to the majors last year, that too, against the Yankees! His MLB debut game included a scoreless inning and securing the win. This Sunday afternoon, Glasnow’s injury again forced him into action. 3.2 innings, 0 runs, and 5 SOs, that’s a good resume for a prospect in replacing a starting pitcher.

In the game against the Pirates, Glasnow reportedly exited before the end of the second inning with right shoulder discomfort—his second consecutive abbreviated start. His previous outing was cut short due to leg cramps.

Now that the two top arms are sidelined, the Dodgers are left with just three healthy starters: Roki Sasaki, Dustin May, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The uncertainty further looms as Clayton Kershaw continues his rehab, expected to return in late May. So, given the current situation, Casparius’s proven track record in both starting and relief roles positions him as a valuable asset for the team’s pitching depth.

Time for the Dodgers’ Japanese depth to get tested

​The Dodgers’ pitching rotation is nothing but devastated now. Thus, it is time for the team to rely heavily on their Japanese duo—Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki—to stabilize the pitching staff.

Yamamoto has emerged as the Dodgers’ ace in the early 2025 season. Over six starts, he holds a 3–2 record with a league-leading 1.06 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP, alongside 43 strikeouts in 34 innings pitched. His pitch arsenal includes a splitter, curveball, four-seam fastball, cutter, sinker, and slider, allowing him to keep hitters off balance. Previously, Roberts has praised Yamamoto’s execution, stating that he is currently the best pitcher in the National League and possibly in all of MLB.

On the other hand, Sasaki has shown promise in his debut MLB season. In six starts, he has a 0–1 record with a 3.55 ERA, 20 strikeouts, and a 1.42 WHIP over 25.1 innings. While he has faced challenges, including control issues in his early outings, Sasaki has demonstrated resilience and a commitment to improvement. His pitch mix features a fastball averaging 94 mph, a splitter, and a slider.

So, as the Dodgers navigate the season with a depleted rotation, the performances of Yamamoto and Sasaki will be crucial in maintaining the team’s competitiveness.

In other news, Tony Gonsolin might come back to the team, joining the lineup of Yamamoto, Sasaki, and May. And getting Casparius along with them might offer a better value to LA. Even in the absence of their veteran pitchers. What do you think?