Conspiracy theories abound as Dodgers place Tyler Glasnow on Injured List

One of the biggest worries about the Los Angeles Dodgers acquiring Tyler Glasnow was his less than ideal history of injuries. He had throw more than 100 innings just twice since 2016, as shoulder and arm issues plagued him during his time with the Pirates and Rays. When he showed up healthy, everyone agreed he had frontline starter stuff ... but that was always a big if.

Nevertheless, the Dodgers not only traded for Glasnow, but gave him a lucrative contract extension that appeared to be a bargain to start the season. Through his first 18 starts, he was mostly tremendous, with a 3.47 ERA and one of the better strikeout rates among all starters.

Unfortunately, things have unraveled lately. After back-to-back starts where he has given up five earned runs, Dodgers fans were understandably concerned, and those concerns were justified when the Dodgers placed Glasnow on the Injured List with a back injury Tuesday.

The news is bad enough, but something bizarre is also happening where social media is abuzz with accusations that the Dodgers are manipulating the injured list and Glasnow isn't actually hurt.

Opposing fans are having a mass delusion about Dodgers' Tyler Glasnow going on the IL

First, the actual important part: Glasnow's injury. All that is known at the moment is that Glasnow's back tightened up on him. Whether that is just a minor issue and he will be ready to go as soon as he is eligible, or if this is going to be a prolonged absence is anyone's guess. With Glasnow's injury history, this is a real cause for concern, and even a minor tweak is worth keeping a close eye on. Dodgers fans know all too well what back injuries have done to Clayton Kershaw.

However, the weird part of all of this is that despite tangible evidence that something has been bothering Glasnow for two starts AND the sad reality that this Injured List stint will keep him from even sniffing his first appearance in an All-Star Game, some baseball fans are convinced that the roster move is part of some wider conspiracy. This was one of the milder versions.

Again, maybe this was more hopeful optimism than actual delusion. However, there were others that took a more...drastic and dramatic approach.

Just to be clear, this is not good news for the Dodgers. Tyler Glasnow needs to be healthy, good, and on the mound regularly for the Dodgers to get where they want to go this year. With all of the injuries they have already absorbed this year, the last thing they want is any uncertainty when it comes to Glasnow, albeit a predictable variety.

Unfortunately, that will never be enough to convince some fans. It won't be long now before those same accounts will pick out some poor Dodgers season ticket holder that happens to be wearing brightly-colored shirts and claim that he is running the whole scam.

Never change, social media. Never change.

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