It is no secret that the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting rotation has been ravaged by injuries once again. The latest was rookie Roki Sasaki sidelined indefinitely with a shoulder impingement. There has been no timetable for his return. Reinforcements will arrive eventually. Meanwhile, the combined ERA of the Los Angeles starters has ballooned to over four. This ranks them below the lowly Chicago White Sox in that category. The Dodgers have plumbed the depths of their depth, and have come up empty. However, might there be a solution in the bullpen to tide the Dodgers over until several of the 14 pitchers on the injured list get healthy. His name is Ben Casparius.
Ben Casparius Could Slide Into Starter Role for Dodgers
Is History Repeating Itself?
Ben Casparius was called up last year to bolster an ailing pitching staff. Since then, he has shown that he can be depended on to get crucial outs, including in the postseason. He made the 2025 roster out of spring training. His spot was solidified when designated long man Michael Grove had season-ending shoulder surgery. Casparius has contributed in a variety of roles for the Dodgers in 2025. The right-hander has served as the “opener” in several bullpen games. However, he served in a high-leverage situation last night, striking out a batter with the bases loaded to preserve (for the moment) a one-run lead.
Ben Casparius came in with the bases loaded and threw 5 sliders, including the last one for the K on a 3-2 count. If that doesn’t put him squarely in the “Trust Tree,” then I don’t know what would.
Dude has multiple “Centerpiece” pitches & is scared of NOTHING! #dodgers pic.twitter.com/Eg0PMBXHFv
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) May 21, 2025
Changing Roles?
With the majority of the Opening Day starting rotation on the injured list, would the Dodgers consider inserting Casparius into a starting role? After all, he was stretched out to be a starter while in the minors. Before being called up last year, the right-hander posted a 3.36 ERA in 67 innings pitched. Casparius struck out 72 and walked 35. This is even more impressive considering the league is hitter-friendly. Additionally, the long reliever has four quality pitches in his arsenal, worthy of a starter.
For his part, manager Dave Roberts, when asked about Casparius in the starting rotation, says he is happy with where the right-hander is right now. Who can blame him? Casparius has had only one bad outing against the Chicago Cubs. The reliever features a 3.23 ERA in 16 appearances this year, with 32 strikeouts. He has been a solid option in a bullpen that has been asked to carry a lot of innings because the starting rotation lacks depth. The load on the relief arms is starting to show as they have been pouring gasoline on the fires they are expected to put out, especially in the last week. The left-handed options have been undependable, coughing up leads late in games.
In Case of Emergency…
The starting rotation isn’t much better of late. The only consistent quality starter right now is Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who threw a career-high 110 pitches last night on short rest. If the Dodgers want to be successful in October, this does not appear to be sustainable for the rest of the season. Other members of the rotation have to pitch more effectively.
Is There Any Good News?
Future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw has returned to the rotation, but showed some rust. Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell have started playing catch, the first steps towards a return. How imminent a return is anyone’s guess. Dodgers say they are determined to search for answers. One just might reside in the bullpen.
Photo Credit: © Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
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