Instead of building a team to compete, the Los Angeles Dodgers constructed a squad to dominate. Their lineup, which included Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, and Shohei Ohtani, appeared to be taken straight out of a video game going into the 2025 season.
It was thought to be the greatest rotation in baseball, capable of sweeping to another World Series victory. Instead, it’s become a patchwork job held together with hope and bullpen days. Of those five names, Yamamoto is the only one who is available to pitch as of mid-June.
Injuries Woes Haunt Dodgers
Snell has struggled with persistent arm pain; Glasnow’s inflammation has kept him out while Sasaki has not yet healed from his shoulder and adapted to the majors. At best, Ohtani won’t be able to return to the mound until later this summer as he recovers from elbow surgery.
The Dodgers were hoping for a break when Tony Gonsolin, who had returned from Tommy John and a back injury, experienced elbow problems and was placed on the 15-day injured list. Even with all these setbacks, the Dodgers sit at 41–29, tied for first in the NL West with the San Francisco Giants. But standings don’t tell the whole story.
The team ERA has slipped to 4.19, landing them in the bottom third of baseball. That’s not what you expect from a team built around elite pitching. And if Los Angeles wants to hold off the Giants and make another deep playoff run, they can’t do it with just one healthy starter.
Trade Deadline and Get to October
The trade deadline is approaching fast, and the Dodgers are going to have to be active. They’re not just trying to win games; they’re trying to survive. One name that continues to be linked to L.A. is a familiar one: Walker Buehler.
After spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Dodgers and playing a key role in two championship runs, Buehler signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox this past offseason. He’s reportedly available, and a reunion could make sense for both sides.
Twenty things I’m hearing and watching for on MLB trade deadline with 50 days to go https://t.co/0yK5Q1mHcf
— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM) June 12, 2025
Buehler knows the city, the pressure, and the postseason lights. Bringing him back wouldn’t just be strategic; it’s a potential season saver. But one arm won’t fix it all. Whether it’s Buehler or another top starter on the market, the Dodgers will need to strike decisively.
The goal is clear: get healthy, get help, and get ready for October. If they don’t, their grip on the NL West could slip, and with it, another shot at a championship.