The Los Angeles Dodgers are already dealing with numerous injuries ahead of their NLDS matchup, with the pitching staff particularly hard-hit. Tyler Glasnow and Gavin Stone are out for the season, while flamethrowing reliever Brusdar Graterol was omitted from the Divisional Round roster due to injury. Tony Gonsolin is also unavailable as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery. Although the Dodgers still have a talented roster, their offseason spending spree hasn’t spared them from the impact of these mounting losses.
Unfortunately, the injury woes keep piling up as they prepare to face a surging Padres team. L.A. recently received additional bad news regarding two key players—one of whom won’t be able to participate at all in the postseason.
Freddie Freeman’s status in doubt ahead of NLDS Game 1
Initially, Dave Roberts and the Dodgers appeared cautiously optimistic that Freddie Freeman would be ready for the playoffs after he rolled his ankle on the last weekend of the regular season. However, their tone has since shifted, indicating more concern as they approach Game 1.
It seems increasingly likely that the Dodgers will be without Freeman for at least Game 1, which is a significant setback for a team that has heavily depended on its formidable top three in the batting order. With the starting rotation in a precarious situation, Los Angeles was counting on Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Shohei Ohtani to lead them through the postseason. Losing one of those key players will undoubtedly make this series much more challenging.
Clayton Kershaw done for the postseason
The rotation won’t receive any reinforcements, as Clayton Kershaw’s attempt to return from a toe injury has been unsuccessful. On Saturday afternoon, Roberts announced that Kershaw would be ruled out for the entire postseason, as his toe wasn’t improving sufficiently to justify a rushed comeback, even for a potential appearance in the NLCS or World Series.
This situation leaves the Dodgers in a precarious position moving forward. Their rotation is projected to consist of Jack Flaherty, Yoshinobu Yamamoto (who is also recovering from a shoulder injury), Walker Buehler, and rookie Landon Knack, with limited depth behind them—especially with Bobby Miller struggling this season. However, the Dodgers shouldn’t be counted out entirely, given their potent offense, a strong bullpen, and one of the smartest organizations in baseball. Still, they were knocked out of the NLDS last season after a depleted pitching staff faltered against the D-backs, and now they face a formidable lineup featuring Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and others. They have a tough road ahead.
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