The Los Angeles Dodgers faced a challenging start to the 2025 MLB season, prioritizing pitching depth but suffering an early setback with Blake Snell's shoulder injury. The team placed the $182-million pitcher on the injured list after just two starts. In Snell's absence, Justin Wrobleski struggled in his first big-league start, leading to an 8-2 defeat against the Washington Nationals. Fortunately, Snell's MRI revealed no structural damage, and he is expected to return in a couple of weeks.

Despite the encouraging news, the Dodgers must navigate the early season with an untested rotation. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the team’s depth but pointed to the need for viable options while waiting for Snell's return. The Dodgers plan to call up Landon Knack for a spot start as roster management becomes crucial. Other pitchers like Tony Gonsolin, Clayton Kershaw, and Shohei Ohtani are also sidelined, adding to the team's pitching woes.