Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Receives ‘Reinforcements’ as Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow Near MLB Return

After a few weeks of struggles, it seems the missing pieces of the Los Angeles Dodgers are finally coming together. Undoubtedly, the Blue Crew, despite sending six of their players to the All-Star game, have struggled. Specifically, their pitching looked sluggish in recent games. With the injuries of their star pitchers, such as Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the team has refrained from showing their pitching power. 

Also, Kershaw has yet to pitch for the Dodgers in 2024 since he signed a one-year contract with the team. On the contrary, veteran Tyler Glasnow was placed with back fatigue and was kept on a 15-day IL. However, the time has finally arrived when at least two superstar pitchers, Clayton Kershaw, and Tyler Glasnow will make the field for the LAD’s. Reflecting on the return of the two ace pitchers, manager Dave Roberts revealed dates for their Dodgers comeback. 

Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow’s return might boost the Los Angeles Dodgers pitching

As Kershaw and Glasnow gear up for a return, Noah Camras, a reputed journalist shared good news on X. He wrote, “Pitching reinforcements are coming for LA” and it attracted the Bronx fanbase’s attention. Further, the Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts, confirmed the news that Kershaw would make his MLB debut on Thursday and Tyler Glasnow would be there for the rotation on Wednesday. 

For the Dodgers, both Kershaw and Glasnow have been vital prospects in the pitching department. While Clayton has managed to log in at an ERA of 3.476 in his last 18 starts, Glasnow boasts a similar ERA of 3.47. Sharing his thoughts on being willing to return for the Dodgers, Kershaw said, “I want to be a part of it; I want to be one of the best five guys we have.”

Starting with Clayton Kershaw, he underwent surgery for his left shoulder at the end of the 2023 season. After spending months in rehab, he made a rehab start for the Class A Rancho. However, after experiencing soreness, he was again kept in the IL before facing Triple-A Oklahoma City. 

Altogether, Kershaw is an experienced player and a Cy Young Award winner. He is coming off an impressive 2023 season, having 137 strikeouts, 1.06 WHIP, 137 strikeouts, and a stunning 13-5 in his 24 starts. For the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 36-year-old might look to bring all his experience against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday. 

On the other hand, veteran Tyler Glasnow’s injury was noticeably not a major one. In the 2024 season, he has pitched in 109 innings and is just 11 away from his all-time career high. He has been the best Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher in the 2024 season, striking out 143 batters in merely 1098 innings. However, as the two ace Dodgers pitchers are set to return, the Blue Crew fans await the arrival of their superstar to take the mound. 

Shohei Ohtani is set to return in 2025 as a two-way phenom, once again

The Los Angeles Dodgers are waiting to see their team’s star performer return to pitch. Right now, Shohei Ohtani is recovering from Tommy John surgery and has only played as a designated hitter in the 2024 season. For the upcoming one, the schedule of the MLB 2025 season might bring a sense of joy into his life.

The initial two games of the 2025 season will be played in Ohtani’s hometown, Tokyo, Japan. On July 18, 2024, all the speculations became official, and it will be Shohei’s countrymen who will witness his pitching prowess. It will be a two-game series between the Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, embarking on the comeback of Ohtani as a two-way maestro.

Starting from March 18 to 19, the Tokyo Dome in Japan will host the two-game series. Indeed, for ‘Shotime’, it will be a special series. Since 2018, when the superstar joined the MLB, he has been unable to play in his country. However, set to return from his injury, he will play major league baseball for the first time in Japan. Previously, Tokyo has had the chance to host the series, and it will be the sixth time the Dodgers vs. Cubs series will be held. 

Eventually, reinforcements came quickly for a team that had struggled with pitching. With Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow in the next week, the Los Angeles Dodgers might look to extend their winning streak. Currently, the team is sitting at the top of the NL West with a winning percentage of .586 and a 58-41 win-loss record. As the World Series is around the corner, the Dodgers might look to fix their pitching and brace themselves to make it to the mega event yet again for the 22nd time.