Until last year, the Dodgers were desperate for pitching depth and now, they have a little too much of it. While most teams are struggling to just put together a decent five-man rotation, the Dodgers have eight elite starters: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Bobby Miller, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, and Gavin Stone. Now, that’s a crazy amount of talent on just one team. But logistically? It’s a headache. With so many players ready to hit the field, a tough decision has to be made. Who gets the ball? Who waits in the wings? One thing is for sure, Dave Roberts’ big problem is one that other team managers will envy.

For the upcoming season, the Dodgers had initially planned a six-man rotation to manage the various workloads. However, Shohei Ohtani is returning to the field in May following his Tommy John surgery. As a result, Andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations, went for a five-man setup instead. Now, with a star-studded eight-man rotation, bringing it down to just five starters will not be an easy task. There are a few in consideration.

First, Blake Snell, the Dodgers’ top offseason acquisition, brings a career 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings, which is the highest in MLB history. Second, Yoshinobu Yamamoto will make his MLB debut with the backing of a record-breaking $325 million contract. Third, Tyler Glasnow’s 96.4 mph fastball adds crazy power, while Roki Sasaki’s fastballs, clocked at 101 mph, and a 2.02 ERA, solidify his ace potential. But that’s only four; the fifth spot remains empty, awaiting a decision from Dave Roberts.

Anthony Recker, an MLB analyst put it best: “What a fun problem for Dave Roberts to try to figure out, right? They have so many great pitching options.” That’s Dave Roberts’ biggest headache for now—deciding the final starter. And he has quite the pick among Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, Bobby Miller, and Landon Knack.

Tony Gonsolin, a former All-Star, ruled the field in 2022 (16-1, 2.14 ERA) but faced a setback with Tommy John surgery in 2023. However, he bounced back stronger in 2024, pitching three rehab games for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Dustin May, the other wild card, underwent UCL and flexor surgeries last year. However, to ensure his smooth return, the Dodgers might keep him in the bullpen first before pushing him to the field.

On the other hand, Miller had an impressive rookie season (11-4, 3.76 ERA). After a year of injuries, he recently made the news for taking a 106 mph line drive and is seemingly recovering well. Knack, on the other hand, is a reliable innings-taker, putting up a 3.65 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 2024.

While the jury’s still out on the fifth starter position, we have a clue. MLB analyst Anthony Recker shared his thoughts on the Dodgers’ 2025 rotation, saying “I just love that starting five.”  He admires Yamamoto, Snell, Glasnow, and Sasaki, adding, “I’m gonna throw in Gonsolin in there just because he’s done it the longest, and I’ve seen a little bit more of him than some of the other young guys.” Now, we know Recker’s pick, Gonsolin, is a strong contender, but the right-hander still has to prove he’s ready to go all out on the field.

Tony Gonsolin’s comeback as he fights for the fifth spot

Tony Gonsolin is already proving his worth and why he deserves the fifth spot. The Dodgers right-hander returned to the field, playing in the Cactus League against the Chicago Cubs. He gave away only one hit, struck out two players and threw 11 strikes out of 18 pitches.

“Overall felt pretty good. I thought the fastball execution could be a little bit better but threw a couple of good splitters, couple good sliders and couple good curveballs. Overall, it was good results,” he said. Before undergoing his Tommy John surgery, Gonsolin had last pitched in August 2023. That season saw him post an 8-5 record with a 4.98 ERA across 20 starts. That was a major drop from his 2022 campaign where he posted a 16-1 record and a 2.14 ERA. Now ahead of the 2025 season, he’s looking to regain his form.

Gonsolin’s velocity is currently recorded at 91-92 mph, with his target being 92-94 mph range. Manager Dave Roberts thinks a work in progress but expects it to improve. “I think he’s in a really good spot given what he’s been through,” Roberts said. With that fifth spot up for grands, Roberts will have a tough decision to make ahead of the Tokyo Series. “Right now, he looks strong. Delivery looks consistent. His secondary pitches are crisp, and I’m looking forward to building him up,” he added. 

With Ohtani’s return coming up and a skillful roster, the Dodgers have the liberty to experiment with the tremendous talent in their hands. Sure, injuries, IO lists and recoveries might disrupt the team’s winning streak but the team’s offseason additions and returns make sure they remain strong. Now, the real game begins, all eyes will be on how Dave Roberts leverage his many options to lead the Dodgers toward another championship.