Injury Challenges Test Dodgers' Depth Early

The Dodgers' quest to build a historic baseball dynasty is already facing its first major test. Just two weeks into the 2025 season, the team has endured:

• Mookie Betts' 20-pound weight loss from a mysterious stomach ailment
• Freddie Freeman's shower slip reaggravating his playoff ankle injury
• Blake Snell's $182M arm sidelined with shoulder inflammation

Despite these setbacks, the defending champions opened 8-0 (a record for repeat champions) and maintain a 9-2 record after the Phillies series.

Offensive Firepower Beyond Expectations

Key offensive stats through 11 games:

• 2nd in MLB home runs
• 1st in win probability added
• .832 team OPS (3rd in NL)

The lineup hasn't fielded its optimal configuration once, yet keeps producing. Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith, and Michael Conforto are raking, while Betts contributes despite health issues.

Pitching Developments: Progress and Patience Required

Ohtani's Pitching Timeline

• Throwing Saturday bullpens with midweek maintenance sessions
• No timetable for rotation return after UCL repair
• Focus remains on offensive production first

Roki Sasaki's Adjustment

• Early struggles (9 BB in first 4.2 IP)
• Breakthrough at Citizens Bank Park:
  • 4.1 IP, 1 ER vs. Phillies
  • Simplified fastball/splitter approach
  • Growing mound confidence evident

Underrated Rotation Pillars

• Yoshinobu Yamamoto: 16 IP, 3 ER, 19 K
• Tyler Glasnow: Mechanical adjustments paying dividends

Potential Weakness: Defensive Questions

Position-by-position concerns:

Championship Intangibles: The Dodgers' Secret Weapon

Key comeback stats:

• MLB-leading 7 comeback wins (next closest: 4)
• 6 comeback wins in first 8 games
• 5+ run deficit overcome (April 10 vs. Braves)

"The belief is big here," says Blake Snell. "We know we're gonna find a way."

Looking Ahead: Sustainability Questions

1. Can the rotation depth hold without Snell?
2. Will Betts' shortstop transition stabilize?
3. How will Ohtani's two-way workload be managed?
4. Can the bullpen maintain its early effectiveness?

The early verdict: This superteam is meeting - and exceeding - its enormous expectations.