Dodgers Face Challenges with Injured Pitchers: Solutions Needed

The Los Angeles Dodgers, one of baseball’s wealthiest franchises, are dealing with a pitching crisis that could reshape their season. With 15 pitchers currently sidelined—many battling shoulder and forearm injuries—people are starting to wonder if the team can keep up its dominance in the National League.

Despite spending big on pitching during the offseason, the Dodgers have watched their staff get picked apart by injuries. From top prospects to grizzled vets, just about everyone seems to be on the shelf, and it’s starting to feel like a pattern the organization can’t shake.

The Dodgers’ Pitching Dilemma: Injuries Pile Up

The 2025 season is turning into a grind for the Dodgers, though not the kind they planned for. Fans are getting anxious as the injury list keeps growing, and even the front office must be feeling uneasy.

Is the Coaching Staff to Blame?

Frustration is boiling over. More and more, fans are calling out pitching coach Mark Prior and the Dodgers’ training staff.

Are their training methods making things worse? It’s tough to say for sure, but the steady stream of injuries has people wondering if there’s a deeper problem.

Recurring shoulder and forearm issues—more common this year than usual—have people doubting the team’s approach to preparation and rehab. In a sport where healthy pitching makes all the difference, fans want answers. Who can blame them?

The Dodgers’ Endless Wallet: Blessing or Curse?

Being a big-market team like the Dodgers means you can spend your way out of trouble. If a pitcher goes down or starts struggling, they can just go shopping for a replacement.

Smaller-market teams like the Reds or Pirates don’t get that luxury. When their pitchers get hurt, it can tank their whole season. For the Dodgers, though, it’s more of a plug-and-play situation.

A Double-Edged Sword

Having all that money helps them patch holes fast, but it also means they lean heavily on expensive talent. If the pitching staff stays banged up by the trade deadline in August, you can bet they’ll be chasing more arms in the market, and the payroll will balloon even more.

Could a Bold Shift in Strategy Be the Answer?

Some fans have tossed out a wild idea: stop pouring money into pitching. Instead, why not stack the lineup with nine All-Star hitters and fill the mound with cheap, scrappy journeymen?

It’s a tempting thought for a team with the Dodgers’ resources. If star pitchers keep getting hurt anyway, maybe it’s smarter to focus on building a fearsome offense. Would that work? Hard to say, and there’s a real risk of ticking off fans and players who see pitching depth as the key to October glory.

The Broader Implications for MLB

The Dodgers’ injury mess and their ability to spend their way out of it highlight a growing gap in Major League Baseball. Teams like Los Angeles play by different rules than the Reds or Pirates, who have to patch holes with rookies and hope for the best.

But that spending power comes with sky-high expectations. If the Dodgers stumble because of their pitching problems, it’ll spark bigger questions around the league. Can money really fix everything, or do teams need to get better at developing talent and keeping players healthy? That’s a debate that’s not going away anytime soon.

Conclusion: A Season at a Crossroads

The 2025 Dodgers have a lot to prove as they navigate an increasingly challenging season.

Can their expensive, injury-prone pitching staff turn things around in time?

Will the team look to the trade market to shore up their rotation?

Should they even consider reinventing their whole spending philosophy? These questions keep fans and analysts guessing.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Letters to Sports: Dodgers must figure out their injured pitcher problem