Dodgers Weigh Options for Final Rotation Spot

Emmet Sheehan and Justin Wrobleski battle for the last starting job as Dodgers consider five or six-man rotation

Mar. 22, 2026 at 12:07pm

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are still deciding on their final starting rotation spot, with young pitchers Emmet Sheehan and Justin Wrobleski competing for the job. The team is also considering using a five or six-man rotation early in the season as they deal with injuries to Blake Snell and Gavin Stone. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman have not yet named a definitive fifth starter, with the situation described as "more 'nuanced'" than simply choosing one over the other.

Why it matters

The Dodgers' starting rotation is a key part of their success, and the final spot will have a significant impact on their pitching depth and strategy to start the season. Determining the right mix of starters is crucial as the team looks to defend its NL West title.

The details

Both Sheehan and Wrobleski had mixed results in spring training, with Sheehan posting a 5.91 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 10 2/3 innings, while Wrobleski had a 5.40 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 8 1/3 innings. The Dodgers are also considering using a five or six-man rotation early in the season to manage the workloads of their pitchers, with "piggyback" outings a possibility.

  • The Dodgers' season opener is scheduled for Thursday.

The players

Emmet Sheehan

A young pitcher competing for the final spot in the Dodgers' starting rotation.

Justin Wrobleski

Another young pitcher vying for the last starting job with the Dodgers.

Blake Snell

A Dodgers starting pitcher who is set to begin the season on the injured list.

Gavin Stone

Another Dodgers starting pitcher who will start the season on the injured list.

Dave Roberts

The manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Andrew Friedman

The president of baseball operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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What they’re saying

“There were a few things I wanted to try, and today I was able to get into the game very nicely, so I think that was good. With runners on base, I was able to calmly throw my pitch. There were a few pitches, especially like a first pitch strike, and that was something that I was focused on going to.”

— Yoshinobu Yamamoto

“I feel like as hitters, we kind of laid off a little bit and didn't use it the way that we were supposed to use it early on, because we were saving it for the catcher and to have a conversation. But now that we have a little bit more clarity of how we're going to use it, I think the team is going to start getting better.”

— Miguel Rojas

What’s next

The Dodgers will need to make a decision on their fifth starter before the season opener on Thursday.

The takeaway

The battle for the final spot in the Dodgers' starting rotation highlights the depth and competition within the organization, as they look to field the best possible pitching staff to defend their NL West title.