Although the Los Angeles Dodgers are currently in the middle of their latest postseason push, the team did receive some tough injury news Friday night. Ace starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow is going on the IL with right elbow tendinitis, according to reports from the Athletic's Fabian Ardaya and Inside the Ravine's Blake Harris on X, formerly Twitter.
Glasnow has impressed in his first season with the Dodgers, as the right hander was acquired from the Rays this past offseason via trade. He since signed a new long-term deal and has quickly become the team's top starting pitcher. As good as the team has performed so far, losing Glasnow at this stage is a clear bump in the road.
Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers face uncertain future
![Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow (31) pitches during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium.](https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tyler-Glasnow-pitches-for-Dodgers.jpg)
Glasnow has produced at a top level for Los Angeles so far, proving their four-year, $120 million extension with their new co-ace to be an initial great investment. The former Tampa Bay Ray is 9-6 with a 3.49 ERA so far on the season, striking out 168 hitters and notching a 0.95 WHIP. Those stats are over a career 134 innings pitched as well, eclipsing his previous high by 14 innings already.
So, based on his injury history, this news isn't exactly a surprise. Still, Glasnow has served as the lone ace of the staff so far this season. He was named to the NL All-Star team and is one of the reasons why the Dodgers are in first place of the NL West. The injury he has sustained could lead to a long absence, which is something that neither Glasnow nor his team wants. What is clear is that the 6'8″ star pitcher will miss at least a few weeks of time, if not more.
Dodgers need recent injury returnees to help out
Although the squad has suffered some rotten injury luck so far this season, there are reinforcements on the way. Former ace Walker Buehler has returned, and so has key bullpen arm Brusdar Graterol. Long reliever Michael Grove and longtime number one starter Clayton Kershaw have also recently come back from good-sized stints on the shelf.
The lineup has also received a recent boost, as star players like right fielder Mookie Betts and first baseman Freddie Freeman have gotten back into the swing of things. Other recent contributors working their way back from their IL tenures include shortstop Miguel Rojas, first baseman Max Muncy and trade deadline acquisition Tommy Edman.
Even though players like promising rookie starting pitcher River Ryan and veteran reliever Blake Treinen have hit the shelf for an undetermined amount of time, it is clear that Roberts and GM Brandon Gomes have assembled a deep system from the majors all the way down to the lowest levels of the minors. That depth should hopefully continue to serve the Dodgers well as they strive to bring an eighth World Series trophy to Chavez Ravine.