Dodgers slow-playing their rotation looks genius as bullpen continues to crumble

The Los Angeles Dodgers have spent most of the 2026 season waiting for their rotation to get fully healthy. But this waiting game has also been by design, in some ways.

Not all of it's intentional, of course. Blake Snell made it through just three innings during one start in May, then disappeared for three months after a procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow. Tyler Glasnow missed a ton of time with back spasms. Shohei Ohtani hasn't pitched since July 3 and could be shut down for the season as a pitcher (although the Dodgers still appear to be denying that possibility).

Have the absences of Snell, Glasnow, and Ohtani prevented the Dodgers from soaring above the rest of the National League West? Not at all. This is the Dodgers, remember.

In fact, given the Dodgers' confidence in guys like Justin Wrobleski and in their front office's ability to add at any moment, this is a franchise that often slow-plays its rehabbing starting pitchers on purpose. Why rush things? The goal is to be healthy in October, not May or June. And while certain Dodgers haters might criticize this method for different reasons, there's no doubting that it's been effective.

Dodgers keep their rehabbing starting pitchers on ice for as long as possible

Snell returned in August and immediately looked dominant. The Dodgers never even thought about rushing him back. They allowed him to slowly build up pitch counts in the minors and then waited for him to feel unquestionably healthy by his own admission. Now it looks like that's all paying off. Glasnow is back now, too, and has looked really good.

On the other hand, the Dodgers' bullpen is a major problem, and much of that is due to injury.

Edwin Díaz has been a major disappointment in his first season. He's now back on the IL with neck inflammation after struggling mightily. Tanner Scott's been a more stabilizing force in his second season with the club, but he hasn't been perfect.

Important arms like Blake Treinen and Will Klein have been on the IL (though Treinen recently returned). Alex Vesia has had good stretches this year, but he's also been overburdened with innings at times, leading to some fatigue and subsequent sub-par outings.

Maybe the Dodgers should consider keeping a reliever or two on ice all season until August. I'm half-kidding. But the contrast in narratives between LA's starting rotation and bullpen has become too striking to discard.

You have to think that Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts is praying that his elite rotation will carry LA in the postseason, but anything (bad) can and will happen when one's bullpen is a tad wobbly.

The main takeaway here is that the Dodgers look smart for slow-playing Snell and Glasnow. Now we're seeing them do the same thing with Ohtani; being extra cautious not to bring him back too soon. It's hard to knock the strategy if it keeps working.

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