Skubal start set for Friday in Detroit as Dodgers monitor Ohtani’s throwing session
Dodgers name Skubal as Friday starter in Detroit; Ohtani will throw a bullpen session Friday and could start Sunday. Glasnow may piggyback. Dodgers announced it.
The Dodgers announced Wednesday that veteran right-hander Matt Skubal will make the scheduled start Friday in Detroit, marking a notable early assignment since his acquisition at the July trade deadline. The Skubal start gives Los Angeles a veteran arm against the Tigers while the club continues to manage the availability of two-way star Shohei Ohtani. Manager Dave Roberts said the plan balances rotation needs with recovery timelines and short-term bullpen usage.
Skubal scheduled to start Friday in Detroit
Skubal, a pending free agent, was acquired from Detroit for a package of three prospects and has been inserted quickly into the Dodgers’ rotation. Roberts told reporters the club intends to hand Skubal the ball Friday in Detroit, reflecting the immediate role the organization envisions for him. The start will be closely watched as Skubal faces his former organization and adjusts to a new team environment.
Ohtani to throw bullpen Friday, could be ready Sunday
Roberts said Shohei Ohtani is on a throwing program and will take a bullpen session Friday, a key step in determining whether he can make a scheduled Sunday start. Ohtani last pitched on July 3 and has been working through knee and biceps issues that have kept him off the mound. The Dodgers framed Friday’s bullpen as evaluative: if the session goes smoothly, a Sunday outing is possible, otherwise the club will protect his arm and knee with a more cautious timeline.
Glasnow lined up as piggyback or emergency starter
Left-hander Tyler Glasnow returned from an injury absence on Tuesday and figures into the Dodgers’ short-term rotation plan around Ohtani’s status. Glasnow is expected to piggyback on Ohtani’s planned start, stepping in for middle innings or following Ohtani if he takes an abbreviated turn. Should Ohtani be unable to go on Sunday, Glasnow is prepared to make the start himself, giving the Dodgers a frontline option without forcing a roster upheaval.
Dodgers acquired Skubal to bolster rotation depth
The decision to slot Skubal into Friday’s start underscores Los Angeles’ desire for depth as it navigates a demanding stretch of games and injury management. Skubal arrived via trade for three prospects and was viewed as a win-now addition capable of eating innings and stabilizing turns. The Dodgers have repeatedly emphasized depth and flexibility, and Skubal’s immediate assignment is consistent with that strategy.
Early Dodgers numbers for Skubal and Ohtani’s pre-injury form
Skubal has made four starts for the Dodgers, posting a 1–2 record with a 3.38 ERA and 30 strikeouts in those appearances. Those figures suggest he has been serviceable in short order, offering the staff quality innings and strikeout ability while settling into a new clubhouse. Ohtani, by contrast, was pitching at an elite level before his injury, carrying a 1.79 ERA and tallying 95 strikeouts across 14 starts and positioning himself among the game’s top pitchers.
Managerial approach balances immediate need with long-term health
Roberts and the Dodgers’ medical staff are approaching the next several days with a dual focus: win the games in front of them while safeguarding long-term availability for key pieces. That calculus is visible in the decision to test Ohtani with a bullpen session before committing to a start and to deploy Skubal immediately to shoulder innings. The club’s handling of Glasnow’s return also reflects an intent to preserve establishment arms for higher-leverage assignments later in the season.
The Skubal start Friday and Ohtani’s bullpen test are emblematic of a Dodgers team navigating the demands of a deep roster with constrained health resources. How each pitcher performs over the coming weekend will shape Los Angeles’ rotation plan for the next homestand and influence bullpen usage for the weeks ahead.
