Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow just threw two scoreless innings for the Class-A Ontario Tower Buzzers in his first minor league rehab start, a massive step forward for Los Angeles. It was the first time Glasnow had pitched in a game in 80 days, hitting the mound on August 4, 2026, at Lake Elsinore. This isn’t just a small step, folks, this is the beginning of what’s expected to be a lengthy rehab assignment, aiming for a hopeful September return to the big league club.
The Long Road Back to the Bump
Glasnow looked sharp out there against the San Diego Padres’ affiliate, the Lake Elsinore Storm. He needed just 16 pitches to get through his six outs, showcasing efficiency we all love to see. He only struck out one batter, but he got two swinging strikes, three crucial groundouts, a fly out, and a pop out. That’s getting outs, plain and simple, and it’s exactly what the Dodgers want to see from a guy coming off an injury. His last game was way back on May 6 when he suffered back spasms during a start in Houston, cutting his outing short after just one inning. Two days later, he was on the injured list, and then moved to the 60-day injured list on June 6. It’s been a long haul for Glasnow, and seeing him back on the field, even in a minor league game, has to be a huge relief for the Dodgers front office and their fans.
Dodgers’ Rotation Depth Is Getting Crazy
When Glasnow does make it back to the big leagues, he’s going to find a Dodgers rotation that’s got some serious new faces and some familiar ones in flux. Just Sunday, the team traded for Tarik Skubal, who’s already settling in at the top of that pitching depth chart right alongside Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Plus, Blake Snell is making his fourth and likely final rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City, with his return expected next week. And let’s not forget Shohei Ohtani, who hasn’t pitched since July 3 due to left knee inflammation. The Dodgers are being careful with Ohtani, taking things slowly, but still expect him to be ready to pitch by October. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said it perfectly on Sunday, “We’re as confident as we can be that [Ohtani’s] going to be back and he’s going to start throwing soon and building back up.” He even added, “if you said, ‘Hey place a bet on it,’ I would be very confident placing it that he will be back pitching.”
This is the kind of depth every team dreams about as the season winds down. Friedman summed up the ideal situation, saying, “I really hope we get to the end of the season and everyone’s healthy and feeling good and strong. That’s the best kind of tough decisions and figuring that out that we could possibly have, and we could welcome it.” With Glasnow starting his return, Snell coming back next week, and Ohtani building up for October, the Dodgers are looking at a pitching staff that could be absolutely stacked for the late push. Keep an eye on Glasnow’s next rehab start; every pitch matters for their rotation as they build towards what’s sure to be an intense end to the season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
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