Dodgers’ starting rotation takes another hit as future Hall of Famer is ‘not viable’

Dodgers The NL West earned a 7-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Thursday, but its playoff preparations were marred by injuries, especially to the starting rotation. While Walker Buehler had a solid performance in the clinching victory, his inconsistent season and the absence of other key pitchers leaves the team with limited options heading into October.

Clayton Kershaw Setback Increases Rotation Problems

One of the reinforcements the Dodgers were hoping for was veteran ace Clayton Kershaw. But manager Dave Roberts announced on Thursday that Kershaw is not expected to be “alive” for at least a few weeks, raising concerns about whether he can make the play-offs. The 36-year-old has been sidelined since August with a bone spur in his left toe, but Roberts hinted Kershaw could be dealing with other issues.

“I don’t think he’ll survive for a few weeks and then we’ll see how that goes until we get to the playoffs,” Roberts said.

Kershaw’s The season was a far cry from his usual dominant form. He managed just 30 innings in 2024, posting a 4.50 ERA with noticeable drops in velocity and efficiency. For the first time in his career, Kershaw’s fastball dropped below 90 mph and he struck out just 7.2 batters per nine innings, a significant drop from his best. His 63.3% left-base rate and 38.5% ground ball rate reflect a pitcher struggling to produce the same strikeouts and misses that once defined him.

Dodgers’ Returning Depth Is Being Tested

Kershaw’s struggles left the Dodgers facing a weak starting rotation. The 36-year-old has been in the top 5th percentile for fastball velocity this season, and hitters have consistently made hard calls against him. While the version of Kershaw the Dodgers once relied on is no longer available, his absence further complicates an already precarious situation.

Now the Dodgers need to lean on Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to carry the load. Acquired from the Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline, Flaherty had a solid 3.58 ERA in 55.1 innings with the Dodgers after a strong first half with Detroit. Yamamoto, a key free agent signing in the offseason, recently returned from injury despite having a 2.96 ERA in 85 innings pitched, adding to the uncertainty.

Attack Force Must Compensate for Shooting Deficiencies

Despite their pitching issues, the Dodgers’ offense remains strong enough to make a deep playoff run. They have the firepower to stay competitive as long as the rotation stays together without further injuries. However, if additional disruptions occur, the lack of depth in the rotation could become a serious problem.

The Dodgers entered the season with a strong rotation, but injuries to key starters like Kershaw and Gavin Stone left them in a difficult situation. With the playoffs approaching, their remaining pitchers will need to step up in a big way to avoid early postseason exits.