Dodgers, Rivals Battle Early-Season Pitching Woes

The Los Angeles Dodgers are contending with major pitching challenges early in the season, with injuries sidelining key starters such as Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, and Clayton Kershaw. As a result, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who currently leads the league in ERA, and rookie Roki Sasaki have been tasked with carrying much of the rotation. Bullpen fatigue is mounting, as Dodgers starters have thrown the fewest innings in MLB, prompting reliance on unconventional rest strategies. The team is optimistic that returning pitchers will stabilize the staff and reinforce their contender status. Elsewhere in MLB, the Arizona Diamondbacks are managing their own rotation and bullpen issues, while the Cincinnati Reds struggle with offensive strikeouts against less-established pitchers. These developments highlight the critical importance of pitching depth and adaptability throughout the league.