June 2nd, 2022 at 9:00 am 
by 0799291000348 Fifty games into the Dodgers 2022 regular season the team is on pace to win the NL West Division for the ninth time in ten seasons. While the win-loss record is championship worthy, there has been a number of concerning, even unsettling, and surprising rotation staff developments.
- Inconsistent performances from co-aces Walker Buehler and Julio Urías
- Clayton Kershaw reinvented himself into a crafty-lefty starter with an exceptional first five starts of the season only for his recent injury hex to once again put him on the IL (May 9 – sacroiliac joint inflammation)
- Dodgers surprise free agent signee Andrew Heaney pitched like Sandy Koufax 2.0 – for two starts – before heading to the IL with a sore throwing shoulder (April 20)
- Free agent Tyler Anderson was signed by the team to pitch out of the bullpen with occasional starting assignments, but he has become an indispensable starter in place of Heaney.
- Tony Gonsolin, who had to win a starting rotation spot in Spring Training, has become the best of the staff with a 1.80 ERA
- Rookie prospect Ryan Pepiot made his Major League debut with high-velocity fast balls and disappearing change-ups. Consistent command has been a challenge leading to high pitch counts, but his stuff is nasty (and that is good).
(Photo credit – Justin Edmonds & Harry How)
Help on the way
Kershaw and Heaney will soon start minor league rehab assignments, and could rejoin the starting rotation in a few weeks.
Dustin May, rehabbing from May 2021 Tommy John surgery, has been throwing controlled bull pen sessions since late April. The Dodgers will be cautious with May’s recovery, but he could be ready for a minor league rehab assignment in six to eight weeks.
The Dodgers re-signed left-hander Danny Duffy in October 2021 even though he had surgery to repair the torn flexor tendon in his throwing arm. Duffy was recently cleared to start a throwing program. If all goes well, Duffy could join the pitching staff after the 2022 All-Star break.
If needed
The team is being ultraconservative in the development of their top pitching prospect Bobby Miller (23), who has only pitched 31 innings this season in eight starts, but his plus-plus fastball, plus slider and change, and above average curve could be valuable later in the season. Similarly, the Dodgers number-three pitching prospect, Landon Knack (24) has the talent to help sooner than later, including plus-plus command of fastball, curve, slider, and change.
What about the bullpen?
Check back in a few days.
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Posted in 
Excellent piece, Jesse. I expect that there will be some roster moves (i.e., trades, DFAs, outright releases) in the near future. They are close, but Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman still has some work to do.
Anderson and Gonsolin have been life savers. Just hope they can keep it up.
From your lips to God’s ears. Gonsolin was outstanding on Thursday night.
i think both t anderson and Tony Gonsolin are the real deal. Also CK will come back soon and I think when we need them Julio and Walker will be just fine.
Dustin May could be a real surprise come Aug and Sept.
I agree. If the Dodgers can get healthy (and stay that way) there is no other team in MLB that can consistently beat them. Andrew Heaney was terrific until the shoulder issue, and Danny Duffy is a very talented pitcher.