The Dodgers are gearing up for 2026 with a pitching strategy that’s raising eyebrows: a six-man rotation! It might sound unconventional, but with a pitching staff already considered one of baseball's elite, the Dodgers are leaning into their depth to start the season.
This offseason, the Dodgers made minimal moves to bolster their starting rotation, and for good reason. They already possess a wealth of pitching talent. At the forefront is a formidable quartet of All-Stars, setting a high bar. Beyond them, a fierce competition is brewing among emerging young pitchers. Some are eager for their first significant chance to prove themselves as starters, while others are looking to reclaim their form after their 2025 seasons were derailed by injuries, like Gavin Stone and River Ryan.
With the highly anticipated Roki Sasaki now slated to be part of the rotation, the team already boasts a dynamic five-man unit. However, as reported by Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register, the Dodgers will actually kick off the 2026 season with a six-man rotation. This strategic decision is designed to allow key pitchers such as Sasaki, Shohei Ohtani, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to maintain their preferred routine of pitching once per week. This approach aims to keep their ace arms fresh and performing at their peak.
But here's where it gets interesting for some fans: This move might mean less frequent starts for individual pitchers within the regular season. Is this a smart way to manage workload, or could it disrupt the rhythm of certain pitchers?
In other roster news, an old friend is returning to the Angels. Chris Taylor is heading back to the Angels for the 2026 season, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. While the exact nature of the deal—whether it's a major league contract or a minor league deal with a spring training invite—wasn't specified, Taylor did play 30 games with the Angels in 2025 after being released by the Dodgers, posting a .179 batting average with two home runs and 10 RBIs.
On the flip side, the Dodgers have secured a familiar face. Kiké Hernández is returning to the Dodgers for the 2026 season, as confirmed by Sonja Chen of MLB.com. Hernández, along with pitchers like Phillips (recovering from Tommy John surgery) and Brock Stewart (shoulder surgery), is expected to be an in-season reinforcement for the back-to-back World Series champions once he's fully healthy. His signing is a key piece in the Dodgers' strategy to keep their core intact while adding star power, like Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz, to address any remaining needs.
And this is the part that truly marks an era's end: For the first time in 19 years, Clayton Kershaw will not be present with the Dodgers in Arizona for spring training. Manager Dave Roberts has already expressed how different the clubhouse atmosphere feels without him. "When we get to spring training at Camelback and not seeing his locker where it’s been for 17 years, 18 years, it’s gonna be different," Roberts remarked. He fondly recalled the presence of Kershaw, seeing him do sprints, work in the weight room, and the anticipation of "Kershaw Day." The absence of these familiar sights and routines undoubtedly signals a significant shift for the team.
What are your thoughts on the Dodgers' six-man rotation? Do you think it's a brilliant strategy or a risky gamble? And how do you feel about the end of an era with Clayton Kershaw not being in Dodgers camp? Let us know in the comments below!
