The Los Angeles Dodgers got some good news on Tyler Glasnow this week. He’s throwing again. But before anyone gets too excited, manager Dave Roberts made it clear the team is taking this slow. Really slow.
Glasnow landed on the injured list back on June 7 with back spasms. That update at the time was described as “troubling” and it put a scare into a Dodgers rotation that’s already had its share of issues. Roberts told reporters Monday that Glasnow has started a throwing program but added that the organization is “being very cautious right now” to prevent any more setbacks. Jack Harris of The California Post passed along the quote on social media.
Why the kid gloves?
It’s not hard to figure out. The Dodgers have everything to lose and nothing to gain by rushing a guy with a back problem. Back injuries are tricky. They flare up. They linger. And Glasnow’s history with arm trouble makes the front office even more skittish. So yeah. He’s playing catch again. But that doesn’t mean he’s close to facing hitters.
The good news is that the Dodgers are winning anyway. They came into Monday with a 54-30 record. Best in baseball. The Brewers are the only other team with 50 wins and they’re still four games back. The Braves sit at 49-33. So LA has breathing room.
Edwin Diaz is also working his way back
Glasnow isn’t the only key arm the Dodgers are waiting on. Closer Edwin Diaz has been out since April after having loose bone fragments removed from his elbow. That’s a weird injury but he’s trending toward a return sometime in July. Getting Diaz back would be huge for a bullpen that has held up but could use another high-leverage option down the stretch.
The All-Star break is the traditional dividing line between the first half and the real push. For the Dodgers, it’s also a chance to get healthy. They’re already the team to beat. Getting Glasnow and Diaz back would make them even harder to catch. But right now it’s all about patience. One throw at a time.
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