Dodgers Set Rotation Order With Surprising Change

The Los Angeles Dodgers set their starting rotation order for their first five games of the season, which also sets up their order for each turn through the rotation.

The Dodgers are going with five starters to begin the year, but should switch to a six-man rotation early in the season.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto had already been announced as the Opening Day starter on March 26 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Yamamoto also started Opening Day for the Dodgers last year, but it came in Japan for the Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs. This marks his first Opening Day start at Dodger Stadium.

In the second game of the season, Emmet Sheehan will take the ball. That comes as an unexpected surprise as it was assumed Tyler Glasnow would pitch given his status as one of the staff aces.

Instead, Glasnow will start the third game of the season to finish off the series against the Diamondbacks.

After a day off, it’ll be Roki Sasaki getting the start to open the series against the Cleveland Guardians.

Sasaki has struggled in spring, but the Dodgers remain committed to keeping him in their rotation and trying to figure out his issues.

Finally, Shohei Ohtani will finish off the first turn through the rotation order on March 31 against the Guardians.

Ohtani was limited as a pitcher this spring due to his participation in the World Baseball Classic. He only served as a designated hitter in the tournament because he was unable to secure an insurance policy to pitch.

The Dodgers lined up Ohtani to pitch the final spring game of the season on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels to get him one more start before the season begins.

After that, the rotation should get one more turn through the order before Justin Wrobleski, or a spot starter, starts on April 8. That marks the first day the Dodgers will not be able to give their pitchers five days of rest without a sixth starter.

River Ryan could also be an option to join the rotation that day, but the Dodgers sent him down to protect his arm and get more work as he returns from Tommy John surgery.

The Dodgers should also get Blake Snell and Gavin Stone back later in the year, giving them even more quality rotation options.

Dodgers early season probables

3/26: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
3/27: Emmet Sheehan
3/28: Tyler Glasnow
3/29: Off day
3/30: Roki Sasaki
3/31: Shohei Ohtani
4/1: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
4/2: Off day
4/3: Emmet Sheehan
4/4: Tyler Glasnow
4/5: Roki Sasaki
4/6: Shohei Ohtani
4/7 Yoshinobu Yamamoto
4/8: Justin Wrobleksi*

*Likely, or another spot starter

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