When Tyler Glasnow left the mound last week at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, because of leg cramps, it was a dreary reminder of the injury struggles he has endured with the Dodgers.
Glasnow missed the postseason, and consequently the Dodgers’ World Series title run, after an elbow sprain last season. After four starts in 2025, was he in danger of seeing his season derailed again?
On Sunday, Glasnow suffered another setback. Warming up before the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates — after giving up back-to-back solo home runs in the first — he doubled over to his side after releasing his last pitch. Manager Dave Roberts rushed out to the pitcher’s mound, followed by a trainer.
Glasnow’s day was done. The team announced he left because of right shoulder discomfort.
Starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow walks to the dugout after leaving Sunday’s game with discomfort in his right shoulder.
The Dodgers overcame the departure, collecting nine runs and 14 hits to win 9-2 and claim the series over the Pirates. Often used as a bulk relief pitcher, Ben Casparius took over and excelled — tossing 3⅔ innings no-run ball, striking out five to help bridge the gap to the rest of the bullpen that combined for eight scoreless innings.
Pirates starting pitcher Bailey Falter, who entered Sunday with a 5.19 earned-run average, faltered Sunday. The Dodgers (18-10) tagged Falter for six runs (four earned) and forced Pittsburgh (11-18) to move to the bullpen in the fifth after Teoscar Hernández hit his 200th career home run — a solo shot for his eighth of the season — to give the Dodgers a 6-2 lead in the fifth.
Andy Pages also continued to mash at the plate. The Cuban outfielder entered the series hitting .183 and left his 10-for-12 barrage against the Pirates with a .277 batting average. Pages collected at least three hits in each game. He had four hits, including a two-run home run Sunday, tallying a career-high four RBIs.
Andy Pages celebrates after hitting a home run in the fifth inning Sunday.
Despite the victory, attention will shift to how the Dodgers handle their pitchers.
If Glasnow’s injury is deemed longer-term, he could join Blake Snell on the injured list — with both starters now battling shoulder injuries.
Glasnow signed a four-year, $115-million deal — including a 2028 team option — with the Dodgers after the team acquired him from Tampa Bay in December 2023.
After his injury last season, Glasnow experimented with his hydration, much like his mechanics — being one of the pitchers publicly encouraging using technology to retool pitch shapes, increasing spin and movement. Glasnow previously stated that he chugs pickle juice to help subside cramps. The lanky, 6-foot-8 starter took it one step further Saturday and received an IV to help pump fluids into him before his start against Pittsburgh.
As with last season, pitching health has been an issue for the Dodgers. If Glasnow is sent to the injured list, he’ll be the 13th Dodgers pitcher and sixth starter to miss time this season.
Right-hander Tony Gonsolin is set to return from the 60-day injured list and make his first start since 2023 against the Miami Marlins this week. The Dodgers have spots in the rotation to fill Tuesday and Wednesday against the Marlins — and with Glasnow potentially out of action, they may need another spot starter to avoid consecutive weeks with bullpen games.
Landon Knack pitched Saturday for Oklahoma City, while Justin Wrobleski started Sunday — leaving right-hander Bobby Miller as the only fully rested option should the Dodgers make a roster move for a mid-week start.
Clayton Kershaw likely will be the next starting pitcher off the injured list as he makes his third rehabilitation start for triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Kershaw is eligible to be activated off the 60-day injured list on May 17.
