Manager Don Mattingly has not added a fifth starter to the Dodgers' rotation while the team deals with the absence of Hyun-Jin Ryu. Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson have made up Los Angeles' four-man rotation.
However, that's about to change. Mattingly said on Sunday that plans for the starting rotation heading into the week were "not 100 percent" set yet, but rumors suggest a fifth starter is likely to join the current cast to give the other four sufficient rest. But that fifth arm will not be Ryu.
Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register said the left-hander is "not near rejoining that rotation" and Ryu added "nothing is really set yet" in terms of when he'll be able to throw off a mound again. He started the season on the disabled list because of a sore shoulder and has not pitching since his second spring training start in mid-March.
"I don't know when I'll be able to throw a bullpen because I've just been throwing outside on the field," Ryu told Plunkett through an interpreter. "So far, it's just making sure I have no pain."
Since that's the case, Mattingly is going to have to look elsewhere for the time being if he hopes to add a fifth starter this week. Plunkett mentioned Mike Bolsinger, Zach Lee and Scott Baker as options. Joe Wieland, who was acquired from the San Diego Padres in the offseason, could also be a possibility.
Here are their stats thus far in 2015:
Bolsinger: 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, 0.545 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in two starts (11 innings) with Triple-A Oklahoma City
Zach Lee: 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA, 0.667 WHIP and 13 strikeouts in two starts (12 innings) with Triple-A Oklahoma City
Scott Baker: 1-1 with a 1.06 ERA, 0.647 WHIP and 16 strikeouts in three starts (17 innings) with Triple-A Oklahoma City
Joe Wieland: 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in two starts (10 innings) with Triple-A Oklahoma City
Either way, one of these starters would have a short-lived stint in the rotation because Ryu's absence likely won't last too much longer considering he's progressing in his rehab. On Sunday he mixed in some changeups and curveballs during his flat-ground throwing routine (since he has yet to be cleared to throw off a mound).
Additionally, starter Brandon Beachy, who the team signed in the offseason, could be back by June, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.
"Brandon Beachy already is throwing bullpen sessions. Beachy, signed as a free agent in February as he recovered from his second Tommy John surgery, said he has had no setbacks in his rehabilitation program," writes Shaikin.
Whatever the case, the Dodgers will need a fifth starter by the time May rolls around because they have only two days off that month. A four-man rotation would likely have difficulty enduring that much pitching and Mattingly likely wants to give Kershaw (slow start), Greinke (offseason elbow issue) and McCarthy (slow start) some rest to preserve them for much of the season.
