Dodgers manager Dave Roberts informed Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register and other reporters that Tyler Glasnow experienced “discomfort” in his right arm during his warm-up before a simulated game on Friday. This coming weekend, Glasnow will go through testing to rule out any structural problems. “I just know we’re going to re-assess and see how he feels over the coming days, see where we can pick up throwing again,” Roberts added.
What this setback means for Glasnow’s chances of making a comeback is still unclear, even in the best-case scenario of a clean MRI. In less than two weeks, the regular season will come to a conclusion. Although the Dodgers are almost guaranteed to qualify for the postseason, it is far from clear that Kyle Glasnow will be fully recovered and ready to play in the postseason. Glasnow will likely need to rely on simulated games or other preparatory work that doesn’t require a true in-game scenario because the minor league season concludes next weekend. Since August 11, Glasnow has been unable to pitch due to elbow tendonitis, ending a fantastic season in which he recorded a 3.49 ERA and an incredible 32.2% strikeout rate in 134 innings pitched.
Plunkett points out that Glasnow played 109 innings prior to being placed on the 15-day IL in early July because of lower back tightness. After recovering from that injury, the right-hander made four starts before missing time with an elbow problem. Throughout his nine MLB seasons, Glasnow has already accumulated 134 innings, which is a career-high given his extensive history of injuries. With relation to his arm in particular, Glasnow underwent a Tommy John procedure in 2021, which prevented him from playing for the Rays for nearly the whole 2022 season—two regular-season games and one postseason game. His 2023 season was subsequently delayed by two months due to an oblique strain, but he remained healthy and pitched 120 innings for Tampa, recording a 3.53 ERA.
The Dodgers were motivated by this performance to sign Glasnow to a $136.5 million contract extension through the 2028 campaign and acquire him in a significant offseason deal.
Los Angeles may not have Brett Glasnow available for his first postseason in Dodger Blue in the near future. The Dodgers have struggled with pitching ailments all season, and Friday’s news is a regrettable continuation of that, as 17 different pitchers have started at least one game for the team in 2024.
