Tyler Glasnow Learning To Manage ‘Inevitable’ Back Issues

With Tyler Glasnow’s injury history, which shortened his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, there was an added layer of concern when he was scratched from a start against the Baltimore Orioles.

Glasnow did not make his scheduled start against the Orioles due to back tightness, the same designation that caused him to miss three weeks last season.

After meeting with doctors in Los Angeles, the Dodgers came away confident that the injury was not going to turn into something more serious, and Glasnow was back on the mound last Monday against the Colorado Rockies.

The right-hander completed his outing without issue, tossing seven no-hit innings and only allowing one run.

Glasnow explained that this latest back issue was the result of a minor back spasm that occasionally pops up. He believes the issue could have been exacerbated by attempting to pitch through the discomfort, which is why he is thankful for the caution exercised by both himself and the Dodgers.

“It’s just, I get random tall-guy back spasm stuff every now and again,” he explained. “And it felt like if I went that day, it could turn into a full-on no-throw situation.

“So I just came back, got some imaging, fixed some stuff, and just made sure I was good to go. I think pushing it when you do have a mini spasm for me, since I’ve had a high school growth spurt, it has always kind of been an issue.

“So it was just one of those precautionary type of things, and I felt really good.”

Unfortunately, Glasnow believes like the threat of his back issue flaring up is unavoidable, but he is learning to manage such situations better to prevent it from becoming a bigger issue.

“Sometimes it’s inevitable,” Glasnow conceded. “But I think if there is something there, it’s just important to go check my hips and get everything back in line. And then took like a day, I was fine.

“I just didn’t really want to go out, and especially this point in season, to go out and make it turn into a big, long IL stint.”

Tyler Glasnow neutral oon extra rest

While Glasnow could do without long stretches of not pitching, he also appreciated the extra rest he was given by the Dodgers ahead of his start against the Rockies.

“I think an extra day is nice. I think not pitching in like 10 days for me, I don’t love it, but I felt good today, and that’s all that matters,” he said. “But I think in general, anything from like five to seven, it doesn’t matter. I kind of feel the same once you go out there and pitch.

“I don’t really feel like a huge difference between more or less rest. Maybe long-term of season, I’d notice it more, but not a ton.”