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How Dodgers Are Adjusting Starting Rotation Plans for 2025 MLB Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Alvin Garcia | Last updated Feb 15, 2025 4:00 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers have adjusted their rotation strategy. Instead of the initially planned six-man starting staff, they will begin the 2025 MLB season with a five-man starting staff.

President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman confirmed the decision, citing an early-season schedule that allows adequate rest without needing an extra starter. The shift will delay the transition to a six-man rotation until May.

This approach accommodates the Dodgers’ two high-profile Japanese standouts, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, who are accustomed to pitching on extended rest in Japan.

It also helps manage a rotation filled with pitchers with significant injury histories. While the six-man rotation remains the long-term plan, the early portion of the season provides enough built-in rest days to maintain workloads without an additional arm.

The Dodgers and Cubs will kick off the regular season with a two-game series in Tokyo on March 18-19. Yamamoto and Sasaki are expected to start the two games.

Afterward, the team will have a week-long break before resuming play against the Detroit Tigers on March 27. With multiple off days throughout April, the Dodgers can stick to a five-man rotation while carrying an eighth reliever to bolster the bullpen.

Shohei Ohtani's ongoing recovery from elbow surgery is a key factor in this decision. Ohtani does not count against the team’s pitching limit as a two-way player, but he will be restricted to hitting until at least May.

His return coincides with the planned transition to a six-man staff, ensuring the bullpen depth remains intact without compromising the rotation.

In the short term, this setup creates competition for the final rotation spot. With Yamamoto, Sasaki, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow locked into starting roles, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May will likely compete for the fifth spot.

Both pitchers missed the 2024 season due to injury and could begin the year in long relief if they don’t secure a starting role. However, given the team’s injury history, depth will be crucial, and the Dodgers will likely lean on multiple arms throughout the season.

For now, the Dodgers will monitor workloads while maximizing flexibility. The team remains committed to easing Ohtani back into pitching and ensuring his long-term health rather than rushing him into action.

With substantial depth and a calculated approach, the Dodgers continue positioning themselves as a serious contender in 2025.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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