Dodgers Focus on Pitcher Workload Management for 2026 Season

This offseason, Dodgers officials have stressed the significance of managing the workload of their starting rotation in 2026, especially after exhausting efforts during last October’s World Series.

As spring training approaches, Blake Snell is already leading by example.

Reflecting on the Dodgers’ recent championship win in Toronto, Snell shared on Thursday that his arm felt “tired” and “exhausted” after starting five playoff games and stepping in as a crucial relief option in Game 7 against the Blue Jays.

“I was glad to pitch throughout the postseason,” the lefty said at a Dodgers charity event at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. “But it wasn’t easy.”

This led Snell and the team to take a cautious approach with him this offseason regarding his winter pitching regimen. He mentioned that they still aim for an opening date in late March, though this hasn’t been officially confirmed by the organization yet.

“You want to improve, but I need to prioritize getting healthy,” remarked Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner who made a comeback from a long-term shoulder injury last summer and played a pivotal role in the team’s title run.

“I think I’m on the right track. I feel good. I’m pitching again. I put in a lot of effort during the postseason. But starting this season, it’s important to be patient and allow my body to fully recover.”

“That’s what I’m learning from discussions with the team: don’t rush, be patient, and ensure you’re at 100%. What’s great about this organization is their focus on health and well-being.”

The Dodgers have historically leaned towards a cautious approach in managing their pitchers’ workloads, prioritizing long-term health and postseason readiness above all else. However, the current season makes this balance even more critical.

Aside from Snell, another challenge lies with Yoshinobu Yamamoto. He led the team in both the regular and postseason last year, throwing 210 total innings, and is set to pitch for Team Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. This commitment means he’ll need to begin training earlier and be in form well before opening day.

Manager Dave Roberts commented, “Yamamoto will be an interesting case considering his heavy pitching load over the last few years.”

Shohei Ohtani presents a different situation, as he’ll potentially have extended rest between starts—up to “six, seven, or eight days,” according to Roberts—while transitioning back to a full-time two-way role for the Dodgers. His involvement with Team Japan’s WBC is still undecided.

Additionally, Tyler Glasnow’s history of injuries will require careful assessment, given that he has never started more than 22 games in a regular season over his ten-year career.

The Dodgers aren’t implementing strict innings restrictions just yet. They plan to evaluate player performance during spring training before finalizing more concrete strategies.

Despite this, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has indicated that managing pitchers’ workloads is crucial. “It’s important to be cautious from the start, allowing for extra rest whenever necessary,” general manager Brandon Gomez added.

Fortunately, the Dodgers have depth to draw from. Emmett Sheehan and Roki Sasaki are expected to bolster the rotation come opening day. Former top prospects River Ryan and Gavin Stone both had normal offseasons after recovering from surgeries last year. The organization is particularly optimistic about Ryan’s performance heading into camp. Other potential starters include Justin Wroblewski, Ben Casparius, Kyle Hart, Landon Nack, and Bobby Miller.

It seems likely that the team will need contributions from all these players at some point in the season.

The effects of last year’s World Series triumph are already making their mark.