Tyler Glasnow Gives Dodgers Another Postseason Rotation Problem

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow is joining the Dodgers again soon after finishing his rehab assignment down in Triple-A.

When Glasnow returns, and assuming Shohei Ohtani continues to make his pitching progress. The Dodgers will have a tough choice about their starting rotation.

Tarik Skubal and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are locked in to start. Blake Snell has looked like a Cy-Young-caliber pitcher since coming back, and he looks undeniable as well.

The final spot comes down to Glasnow or Ohtani. Even though it feels like forever since Ohtani last pitched, he has tossed more innings than Glasnow this year, and his incredible low ERA makes him the favorite to secure the last spot.

Apr 17, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow (31) walks off the mound in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Also, given Ohtani’s status on the team and his familiarity with starting rather than coming in as a reliever, the Dodgers may delegate to Ohtani, leaving Glasnow as one of the best piggyback pitchers of all time.

Given how unified the pitching staff is, it will be less of a problem and more of a tough choice, but one that they will feel lucky to have.

Tyler Glasnow looks dominant

Dodgers fans have not seen Glasnow since May, when he made a road start against the Houston Astros.

Up until that point, Glasnow was pitching at a high level, arguably some of the best of his career, given his stuff was still great, while his pitch mix was much more experienced.

Just before the postseason, the Dodgers are close to getting Glasnow back as he looks to sharpen up over the next month.

On Wednesday, August 19th, while the Dodgers were playing against the Colorado Rockies, Glasnow pitched 5.1 innings, allowing just one run, one hit, and one walk, while striking out nine hitters.

Glasnow has looked fantastic during his rehab assignment; in his previous start, he allowed no hits through 3.2 innings and struck out eight more.

The Dodgers rotation is missing only Glasnow and Ohtani before it’s at full strength. Ohtani is making notable progress, pitching in bullpen sessions and throwing the baseball again.

Given the Dodgers’ recent slump, they could use some more high-quality pitching until the offense really gets going and helps the team in the race for the top two National League spots.

However, Glasnow’s return to the mix serves a bigger purpose.

Why the Dodgers need Glasnow now

For any MLB player, there is a big difference between being minor league sharp and major league sharp.

Glasnow has pitched elite in Triple-A, but he has to get used to facing the best of the best regularly again.

Apr 10, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow (31) reacts after giving up a three-run home run to the Texas Rangers during the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Glasnow has experience returning late in the season and quickly getting up to speed in MLB. He did so last year, and he was a key part of a Dodgers rotation that carried the team to their second straight title.

This year, with the addition of Tarik Skubal, it will likely be a unique role for Glasnow, possibly piggybacking off Ohtani, who will likely not be able to pitch a full starter’s workload.

Even if it is not the traditional role, the Dodgers need the best version of Glasnow, who can have lights-out stuff and get outs in high-leverage spots.