Dodgers rotation already takes hit with latest roster move

Fans likely knew it was coming at some point, but barely two weeks into the season? Come on! Can’t already be having more starting pitching depth issues when the year began with them.

But on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced starter Andrew Heaney, who’s been a pleasant surprise across his first two outings, has been placed on the injured list with “left shoulder discomfort,” prompting the promotion of utility player Zach McKinstry.

Heaney’s first 10.1 innings of work came unblemished. Zero earned runs and just four hits and three walks allowed to go with 16 strikeouts. Everyone laughing at the Dodgers giving him $8.5 million for the 2022 season was quickly silenced.

But now, the Dodgers will be without Heaney for at least 10 days, which will likely force manager Dave Roberts to move Tyler Anderson into the No. 5 rotation spot. Anderson was said to have been willing to take on any role with LA when he signed, which is why he started the season in the bullpen despite only making four relief appearances his entire career.

It’s unclear what other adjustments will be made, but we can safely guess that either Mitch White or David Price will shift into Anderson’s lengthy relief role (assuming Anderson does get that final rotation spot). Then it’ll just be business as usual with the rest of the bullpen and the team’s other four starters.

Andrew Heaney has hit the IL for the Dodgers. What does it mean for pitching depth?

The other problem, however? Blake Treinen just missed the entire Braves series due to arm soreness. Though he’s expected back for the upcoming series against the Padres, there’s no telling if that will be short-lived or not. Should he miss more time, that’ll be a strain on the back end of the bullpen.

Nonetheless, the Dodgers have proven able to get by when these kinds of injuries strike. But this will be an entirely different test because this is their thinnest rotation depth in … years?

The good news is that a few more outings from Price might have him built up for more work, which was a problem for him heading into both last season and this one.

He’s being paid $16 million by the Dodgers in the final year of his contract, so hopefully he’s up for the task as Trevor Bauer remains on administrative leave (and will likely never return) and Dustin May continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery (don’t expect to see him until August).

Even better that Tony Gonsolin went six innings against the Braves on Wednesday, right?

Time for Dodgers fans to bring out the receipts on Andrew Heaney haters

Andrew Heaney has gotten off to a fast start with the Los Angeles Dodgers, prompting all the haters and doubted to clam up.