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Dodgers Moving Forward with Unique Rotation

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Katherine Wacker | Last updated Mar 24, 2026 12:38 AM ET

History is repeating itself in 2026. The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced that they are moving to a six-man rotation from the get-go. They are going to do their best to preserve mileage on arms from Opening Day onward. This may be a wise decision considering the injuries sustained by the starters in the not-too-distant past. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, Emmet Sheehan, and Roki Sasaki are going to have reinforcements. Originally, the Dodgers were going to hold off on the change until April because they have so many off days in April. However, as circumstances change, so must the Dodgers. Here is why, and who might fill the gap.

Dodgers Moving Forward with Unique Rotation

The Dodgers will carry a sixth starter of sorts to open the season, Dave Roberts said. That pitcher would likely be a piggyback the first time through the rotation, as the off days mean they won’t need a sixth starter until mid-April.

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 20, 2026

The Lay of the Land

Starting pitchers Blake Snell and Gavin Stone are both out with cranky shoulders. Snell has resumed throwing and is expected to be ready in a month or so. Gavin Stone is set to resume throwing sometime next week. Added to the list: Shohei Ohtani has paused his development on the mound this Spring to compete in the World Baseball Classic. He did throw four-plus innings this weekend, but has yet to be stretched out to a full-length start. Finally, Roki Sasaki was tasked at the beginning of Spring Training to develop a third pitch. Based on his abbreviated outings this spring, it is safe to say that Sasaki is still a work in progress. Nonetheless, Los Angeles is adamant that Sasaki remains in the rotation. They want him to continue to develop at the Major League level.

How Will It Work

Left-hander Justin Wrobleski, who played a crucial role in game seven of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays last fall, will be the first person out of the bullpen for the Dodgers. The Dodgers have been confident about Wrobleski’s repertoire since the beginning of Spring Training. The 95-plus fastball and his demeanor on the mound give him a leg up on the competition. Most take Spring Training stats with a grain of salt because they are primarily used for development. In one respect, the Dodgers hope this is true. Wrobleski’s Earned Run Average is 5.41 in preliminary play. However, his seven strikeouts in eight innings may be an indication of just how effective he can be.

What Happened to River?

River Ryan was optioned out of camp last week. On the surface, it looks like a puzzling decision on a guy who couldn’t have done more to impress in Spring Training. The young right-hander missed all of 2o25 because of Tommy John surgery, but he’s thirty pounds heavier and ready for a full season on the mound if he stays healthy. He was a bright spot in Spring Training with a sub-2.00 ERA. The Dodgers sent him to the minors, hoping he could develop strength and length in an arm that throws nasty stuff. Los Angeles will eventually pull the trigger on Ryan, but they are hoping to do so sooner rather than later.

The 2026 season is bound to be a long and winding road. The Dodgers are just hoping that another championship lies at the end of it.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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