Can a team really have too many starting pitchers? The Los Angeles Dodgers seem set on testing that theory for a second straight year.
Fresh off their 2024 World Series title — a season in which they used a staggering 40 pitchers, including 17 different starters — the Dodgers are again tapping into their deep pitching well in 2025. They matched franchise records last season with 12 pitchers recording saves and 25 earning wins. This year, they’ve already used 17 pitchers, with seven different starters, and we’re not even a month in.
On Wednesday, that count grew when Bobby Miller was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to face the Rockies. His debut was rocky — six runs allowed on eight hits and a walk in three innings — though he did strike out seven. To make space, the Dodgers optioned Landon Knack, who’s had mixed results in his brief appearances this year.
Knack, 27 and once ranked the Dodgers’ No. 24 prospect, posted a 3.65 ERA across 69 innings last season. Despite decent production, he’s now struggling for opportunities in a crowded rotation packed with returning stars and emerging arms. Injuries to Blake Snell and the slow build-up of Shohei Ohtani haven’t stopped the Dodgers from staying loaded, with the likes of Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, and Emmet Sheehan still expected back later this year.
Meanwhile, across the country, the Yankees are in a much different situation.
New York has been scrambling to overcome the absences of Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil. Aside from Max Fried, every Yankees starter with multiple appearances holds an ERA above 5.00. Clarke Schmidt, just back from injury, gave up three runs over 5.2 innings in his return.
While the Dodgers have a surplus, the Yankees may be eyeing that depth for potential trade opportunities to stabilize their struggling rotation.
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