A week ago, Tyler Glasnow was starting to become a bit of a concern for the team.
In response, the Dodgers decided it was best for him to return home, hoping that a little break would help.
Last Saturday, he had a rough outing in Miami, struggling through four innings and allowing four runs, which left a lot to be desired. His mechanics were off, his troublesome back was acting up again, and it seemed like the confidence he had regained after coming back from the injured list a month prior was fading.
Instead of traveling with the team to Cincinnati for the next part of their road trip, Glasnow went straight back to Los Angeles the day after his disappointing performance against the Marlins. It was all about minimizing travel and giving him a chance to regroup and focus on his pitching mechanics.
Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts commented on this decision, saying, “He got back on Pacific Standard Time, in his own bed, one leg of travel versus the two.” He added that Glasnow’s bullpen session a few days later went well, indicating that the pitcher was getting back on track.
Glasnow showed signs of improvement in Friday’s game against the San Francisco Giants, where he pitched six innings, allowed two runs, and struck out ten batters, helping the Dodgers secure an 8-2 win. However, there were still some hiccups; he gave up a home run on a hanging curveball in the second inning and struggled a bit from the stretch in the third, briefly putting the Dodgers behind. Still, their offense rallied with five home runs, including four in just one inning.
What really mattered was that Glasnow was feeling better overall. He mentioned feeling more in sync with his health and mechanics as the playoffs approached. “I think I feel relatively consistent. It’s just a matter of, sometimes I’m not going to feel good, sometimes I will,” Glasnow shared. “Today was a step in the right direction.” He expressed a preference for occasional rough patches over long stretches of feeling great as he prepares for the postseason.
This perspective might seem odd for someone so pivotal in the Dodgers’ playoff plans, especially considering his history of injuries throughout his career. However, it does coincide with how he managed last season. He found his stride just before the playoffs and went on to perform well in October.
Roberts echoed Glasnow’s sentiment, emphasizing the importance of the pitcher’s health: “It’s just making sure he’s feeling good, he’s healthy.” He noted that the team was in a good place with Glasnow returning to form.
Roberts had been noticeably more worried after Glasnow’s previous start, pointing out that he didn’t look right coming into that game, which raised some concerns given his injury history this season. His absence in Cincinnati only heightened the urgency for Friday’s matchup.
“This is an important start,” Roberts remarked before the game. “He knows it.” Following the performance, he felt encouraged by how Glasnow executed his pitches, highlighting that he retired ten of the last eleven batters he faced.
Glasnow himself played down any lingering health concerns, citing the previous week’s cross-country flight as possibly contributing to his issues. He acknowledged feeling “not great” but seemed to be in a better place now. “In the course of a season, you’re not always going to feel good,” he reminded everyone.
That being said, the Dodgers will need him to be at his best as they head into the postseason. Glasnow concluded, “Right now, I feel pretty good… Hopefully everything is feeling good for playoffs.”
