How the Dodgers will look to fill out a once-crowded starting rotation

"Yamamoto, right-hander Shohei Ohtani and right-hander Tyler Glasnow are locks for the rotation. But with left-hander Blake Snell likely to open the season on injured list as he nurses a shoulder injury, and right-hander Gavin Stone forced to pause any throwing activities as he attempts a comeback from major shoulder surgery, where do other potential starters stand at this stage of spring training?"

"Hard-throwing right-hander Roki Sasaki, looking to make a return to starting after a successful run as a relief pitcher in last year's postseason, has allowed seven runs combined in two Cactus League starts while giving up a good deal of hard contact. While Sasaki is trying to work through things in live action, including honing a third pitch for his arsenal, there is also the practical matter of making sure Sasaki is built up to start games once the regular season gets underway."

"Which is why Roberts said Thursday the team plans to have Sasaki pitch a simulated game on their backfields at Camelback Ranch in addition to making his next start in order to help with his buildup. 'We need to get him to build up,' Roberts said."

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is competing in the World Baseball Classic for Team Japan while other Dodgers pitchers compete for rotation spots during spring training. The team faces significant health concerns with Blake Snell on the injured list due to shoulder issues and Gavin Stone recovering from major shoulder surgery. Roki Sasaki is transitioning from a successful relief role to starting pitcher but has struggled in early Cactus League appearances, allowing seven runs across two starts with excessive hard contact. Manager Roberts plans to have Sasaki pitch a simulated game at Camelback Ranch to build up his endurance for regular season starts. Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, and Tyler Glasnow are locked into the rotation, but the team must navigate multiple injury concerns and pitcher development needs.

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