It is January 2026, and if you are asking who’s pitching for the Dodgers, you are basically asking how Andrew Friedman managed to juggle a dozen glass balls without shattering a single one. Honestly, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching staff has become less of a traditional "starting five" and more of a high-velocity science experiment. Last season was a rollercoaster. We saw some guys hit the IL before they even broke a sweat, while others, like the perennial cyborg Shohei Ohtani, reminded everyone why the front office keeps writing those massive checks.
The Dodgers have this weird, almost frustrating ability to turn a "nobody" into a Cy Young contender by July. But they also have a habit of relying on guys whose elbows are held together by prayers and high-end medical tape.
Right now, the rotation is a mix of generational legends, high-priced Japanese imports, and a few "wait, who is that?" prospects who throw 101 mph. If you’re looking at the depth chart today, it’s not just about who’s healthy. It’s about who is actually available to throw a baseball every five days without their arm falling off.
The Ace in the Hole: Shohei Ohtani’s Second Act
After that 2024 season where Ohtani couldn't pitch due to surgery, everyone was holding their breath. But here in 2026, he’s back to being the focal point of who’s pitching for the Dodgers. He isn't just a DH who occasionally throws bullpens anymore. He is the anchor.
Seeing Ohtani on the mound is still surreal. He’s 31 now. You’d think the workload would slow him down, but his splitter is still devastating. It’s basically a magic trick. One second the ball is at the letters, and the next, it’s hitting the dirt while the batter is halfway through a swing he already regrets.
The Dodgers are being careful, though. They have to be. You don't pay a guy $700 million to let him blow out his arm in a random Tuesday game against the Rockies. Expect a six-man rotation more often than not. It’s the only way to keep Shohei fresh for October. When he’s on, he’s the best in the world. Period.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the $325 Million Question
Yamamoto is the fascinating part of this equation. When he signed that massive deal, people wondered if his smaller frame could handle the grind of the MLB schedule. We’ve seen flashes of absolute brilliance—games where he looks like he’s playing a video game on "Rookie" mode.
But there have been injuries. Tightness here, a strain there.
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When you look at who’s pitching for the Dodgers, Yamamoto is the guy they need to be a workhorse. His command is still his calling card. He doesn't just throw strikes; he paints the corners like he’s got a brush and a pallet. His curveball still has that "yo-yo" effect that makes hitters look foolish. However, the pressure is on. In 2026, the fan base isn't just looking for "potential" anymore. They want 180 innings of elite production.
The Tyler Glasnow Factor: Can He Stay on the Mound?
Look, Tyler Glasnow is arguably the most dominant pitcher in baseball when he’s healthy. That’s the catch, isn't it? It’s always been the catch.
He’s got the height, the extension, and a fastball that feels like it’s being shot out of a cannon. But his medical history is longer than a CVS receipt. The Dodgers knew this when they traded for him and extended him. They are gambling on the "quality over quantity" model.
If Glasnow gives you 25 starts, you’re ecstatic. If he gives you 30, you’re checking for a glitch in the matrix. In 2025, we saw him dominate for stretches before the inevitable "arm fatigue" stint on the IL. In 2026, he remains a vital part of the answer to who’s pitching for the Dodgers, but he’s the one fans watch with their hands over their eyes, hoping every pitch doesn't result in a grimace.
The Young Guns and the "Internal Options"
This is where it gets interesting. The Dodgers have this factory in Triple-A Oklahoma City. It just pumps out guys with weird arm angles and triple-digit heat.
- Emmet Sheehan: He’s finally back and looking like the mid-rotation stabilizer they desperately need. His "rising" fastball is a nightmare for righties.
- Gavin Stone: After a breakout 2024 and a solid 2025, Stone has transitioned from a prospect to a guy you actually trust in a playoff game. His changeup is still one of the best in the league.
- Bobby Miller: He’s the wildcard. Miller has the "stuff" to be a Cy Young winner, but 2025 was a bit of a struggle for him. Command issues plagued him, and he spent some time tinkering with his mechanics. If Miller finds his rhythm in 2026, the Dodgers don't just have a good rotation—they have a historic one.
Then you have the rookies. There’s always some 22-year-old with a name you barely recognize who comes up in June and throws six shutout innings. That’s just the Dodger way. Keep an eye on the guys coming up through the system who might not be on the Opening Day roster but will definitely be who’s pitching for the Dodgers by August.
What Happened to the Veterans?
The days of Clayton Kershaw being the undisputed #1 are, sadly, in the rearview mirror. But he’s still around, isn't he? It’s hard to imagine a Dodgers season without #22 somewhere in the mix. Whether he’s a "bulk" guy or a traditional starter at this point, his presence in the clubhouse is worth more than his ERA.
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The Dodgers have also been active in the "reclamation project" market. They love taking a veteran whose career is on the ropes and teaching him a new slider.
Check the roster for those one-year "prove it" deals. These are the guys who bridge the gap when the young kids hit their innings limits. They aren't flashy, but they win games in May and June when the stars are resting.
The Bullpen: Not Just Closers Anymore
You can't talk about who’s pitching for the Dodgers without mentioning the "Bridge to Evan Phillips." Or whoever happens to be closing games this week.
The Dodgers use their bullpen differently than almost any other team. They love "openers." They love "followers." You might see a guy start the game, go three innings, and then get replaced by a lefty specialist who throws sidearm. It’s a matchup nightmare for opposing managers.
This strategy takes the pressure off the starting rotation. If Yamamoto is struggling in the fourth, Dave Roberts doesn't hesitate. He goes to the pen. This means the list of who’s pitching for the Dodgers on any given night could be six or seven names deep.
Why the 2026 Rotation is Different
In previous years, the Dodgers felt a bit top-heavy. If one of the big three went down, the whole house of cards felt shaky.
This year feels deeper.
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They’ve built a system that prioritizes "redundancy." They have enough talent that they can survive an injury to a major star. That’s the luxury of having the highest payroll in the sport and one of the best scouting departments. They don't just buy stars; they build them.
The Challenges Ahead
It’s not all sunshine and beach days in Los Angeles. The National League West is a gauntlet. The Padres are still spending like crazy, and the Diamondbacks have a young core that isn't scared of the Dodger blue.
Fatigue is a real concern.
The Dodgers play deep into October almost every year. That extra month of high-stress pitching adds up. By the time we get to 2026, some of these guys have hundreds of extra innings on their arms compared to pitchers on losing teams. Managing that workload is the biggest task for the coaching staff.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re tracking who’s pitching for the Dodgers for your fantasy team or just to stay informed, here is what you need to do:
- Watch the Six-Man Rotation: The Dodgers will likely use a six-man rotation for large chunks of the season to protect Ohtani and Yamamoto. This means fewer starts per pitcher, but potentially higher quality per start.
- Monitor the IL Closely: Don't panic when a Dodger pitcher goes on the 15-day IL with "shoulder soreness." Often, this is just the team's way of giving a guy a breather. It’s "roster management" disguised as injury news.
- Focus on the Changeup: The Dodgers' pitching lab has been obsessed with the "air mirror" effect lately. Watch how their younger pitchers use their changeups to tunnel with their high-velocity fastballs. It’s the key to their success.
- Check the Velocity: If Bobby Miller or Tyler Glasnow shows a 2-3 mph drop in their fastball over two consecutive starts, that’s your red flag. That’s usually when a stint on the shelf is coming.
- Respect the "Opener": Don't be surprised if a random reliever starts a game against a lefty-heavy lineup. It doesn't mean the rotation is in trouble; it means the Dodgers are playing the percentages.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be another masterclass in pitching depth. Whether it’s the star power of Ohtani or the raw potential of the next wave of prospects, the mound at Dodger Stadium remains the most interesting place in baseball. Keep an eye on the transaction wire, because with this team, the answer to who’s pitching for the Dodgers can change in an instant.