One of the Dodgers strengths over the years has been the tremendous pool of talented players, especially pitching depth they could draw upon during the arduous 162-game regular season. For the 2021 season, baseball pundits once again pointed to the team’s depth in support of their forecast for another trip to the World Series. But that depth has been put to the test beyond any reasonable standard.

Unfortunately, that test has happened quickly for the defending World Champions, with a rash of early-season injuries. No one could have anticipated the overwhelming number of players who have been placed on the IL during the first eight weeks of the season, including key players like Cody Bellinger, Tony Gonsolin, Victor Gonzalez, Corey Knebel, Gavin Lux, Dustin May, AJ Pollock, David Price, Edwin Rios, and Corey Seager.

While the Dodgers used a piecemeal of position players to fill in around regulars Will Smith, Justin Turner, Mookie Betts, Chris Taylor, and Max Muncy, the pitching staff has been sorely tested. When Dustin May was lost for the season with UCL reconstruction (Tommy John) surgery, veteran David Price (now a full-time reliever), and Tony Gonsolin on the 60-day IL (right shoulder inflammation), the time seemed right for the team’s top pitching prospect, Josiah Gray, to make his Major League debut. But Gray was placed on the Minor League IL after his first start of the season for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, with no timetable for his return. So, the team turned to bullpen games, using six to seven relievers during the course of the games.

While Gonsolin is expected to return to the starting rotation during the week of June 8, the Dodgers pitching strength is paper-thin, as pitching prospects Edwin Uceta, Mitch White, and Dennis Santana have struggled in their efforts to become Major League hurlers. And, bullpen games every fifth game for an entire season is not a realistic option.

While the need is not immediate, adding a veteran starting pitcher seems like an increasing priority for Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman.

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