Projecting Dodgers starting rotation after Jack Flaherty trade, injury returns

While some were optimistic that the Dodgers would manage to get two starters at the trade deadline to make up for the absences of Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Walker Buehler, one was definitely more realistic in a market almost completely devoid of starting pitchers. The Dodgers got a good one, too — Jack Flaherty, one of the best pitchers in the American League this season for the Tigers — while having to give up shockingly little in return.

The trade for Flaherty prompted a massive sigh of relief for the Dodgers and their fans; this was the big move we'd been waiting for, and it was for a guy who will (almost) immediately bring relief to the rotation and not require a contract extension to pitch in October.

Before Flaherty, the Dodgers have been working with Tyler Glasnow, newly returned from the IL, Gavin Stone, Clayton Kershaw, Justin Wrobleski, River Ryan, and Brent Honeywell. While the latter three have been better than LA could've asked, this isn't exactly the rotation that was promised.

It's unlikely that too much will change when Flaherty officially moves into the rotation (while the Dodgers are in Oakland, reportedly), but what will it look like when Yamamoto and Buehler return?

Projected Dodgers starting rotation after Jack Flaherty trade

1. Tyler Glasnow
2. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
3. Jack Flaherty
4. Gavin Stone
5. Clayton Kershaw
6. Walker Buehler

In the earlier months of the season, the Dodgers wanted a six-man rotation to give Glasnow, Yamamoto, and James Paxton an extra day off between starts, and although Paxton is long gone now, they have Clayton Kershaw's health to worry about. A six-man rotation makes sense again, even with Flaherty in the mix.

In this projection, there are no surprises up at the top. Glasnow has been and will continue to be the Dodgers' ace, while Yamamoto will run in second. Flaherty seems like a good option to slot in between Yamamoto and Stone, who's struggled a lot since his complete-game shutout on June 26 with a 6.27 ERA over his last four starts.

From Stone, we go to Kershaw, who pitched four innings in his season debut and probably shouldn't be counted on to break five innings during any of his outings this season. Buehler will round out the rotation as, unfortunately, his troubles have followed him to a rehab assignment in Triple-A. On July 26, he pitched four innings and gave up eight hits and four runs.

This looks a little more like the Dodgers rotation that was promised. Although Wrobleski and Ryan will have to get the bump, despite outstanding freshman efforts for LA, and Buehler still looks shaky, this is the best rotation to take the Dodgers through the postseason.