How does Dodgers' rotation shake out after Yamamoto, Glasnow?

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LOS ANGELES -- With the Dodgers starting the season with two games in Seoul, South Korea, against the Padres, they’re set to arrive at Camelback Ranch in less than three weeks to prepare for the much-anticipated 2024 season.

Before that happens, however, we’ll continue to take an in-depth, position-by-position look at the Dodgers and how they’ll look in ‘24. Today we shift our focus to the rotation.

Previous previews: Catchers | Infielders | Outfielders

The healthy locks: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Bobby Miller, additional signing

After a disappointing showing from their rotation, the Dodgers came into the winter knowing they needed to make significant changes to the starting staff in order to really contend for a World Series in ‘24. They were able to do just that with the two biggest splashes of the offseason.

The Dodgers signed Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million deal, making him the richest pitcher in the league, even though he’s never thrown a pitch in the Majors. Los Angeles had been scouting him for years, however, and believes he’s the type of frontline starter it lacked last season. Then the Dodgers went out and traded for Glasnow, while they are also expecting another leap in the development of Miller, who had a solid rookie season.

Even after signing Yamamoto and trading for Glasnow, the Dodgers were in the market for another starting pitcher. They needed more depth and they’re getting it, as they’re nearing a one-year deal with veteran left-hander James Paxton. Paxton will slot into the rotation to start the season, giving some of the team’s other pitchers some more time to get back on the field.

The big reinforcement: Walker Buehler

You were probably wondering why Buehler, a Cy Young candidate in 2022, wasn’t on the “healthy locks” list. Yes, Buehler will be healthy going into the ‘24 season after missing the entire ’23 campaign following his second Tommy John surgery, but the Dodgers will take a very cautious approach with the right-hander, including not starting his season right on Opening Day.

Buehler will have an innings restriction this season, which is routine for someone coming off a second major elbow surgery. Because of that, both sides need to have some conversations this spring. The idea is to have Buehler ready for October, which is when he shines brightest, even if it means him missing the first month of the season. That’s why the Dodgers prioritized a depth move like Paxton.

Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin could also be options for the Dodgers later in the season, but that will remain unlikely until they make significant progress.

The Spring Training battles: Gavin Stone, Emmet Sheehan, Ryan Yarbrough, Michael Grove

The Dodgers have four spots in the rotation locked up heading into Spring Training, leaving one or probably two openings for some other options.

Young pitchers Stone, Sheehan and Grove all got a look last season, and each of them had their ups and downs. Stone struggled mightily to start his big league career, but his Minor League numbers before this year were eye-popping. Most evaluators believe he’s a pitch away from becoming another viable option.

Sheehan is also another impressive young arm who finished the season on a high note, mostly in relief. The right-hander was called up straight from Double-A Tulsa to make his debut last season, which tells you everything you need to know about how highly the Dodgers view him.

Grove also struggled as a starter, but he could project to be a really solid multi-inning reliever. That’ll be something the Dodgers continue to explore this season, but Grove will begin spring as another starting option.

Then there’s Yarbrough, who has the most experience of the group and gives the Dodgers another left-handed option. Yarbrough had success with the Dodgers after being acquired at the Trade Deadline from the Royals, and he also had a lot of success with Tampa Bay.

With Yamamoto getting adjusted to the Majors, Glasnow having a long track record of injuries and Miller making another innings jump, it’s very possible that the Dodgers will open the season with a six-man rotation, opening some opportunities for this group.

Who backs them up: Kyle Hurt, Landon Knack, Nick Frasso, River Ryan

The Dodgers are going to need a couple of these pitchers to make a jump this season. Hurt is the only one with a taste of the Majors. He struck out the side in his first big league inning last season, and he would likely be the first man up on this list. Knack has long been on prospects lists, but this is the season when the Dodgers need to figure out how much they can rely on him when they need innings.

Most teams use more than 10 starters in a season, so you can expect at least one or two of these highly touted prospects to come up at some point.