Glasnow's return to Dodgers' rotation could be imminent

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers' rotation could be on the verge of gaining an in-season reinforcement.

Right-hander Tyler Glasnow made his third rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday night, tossing 4 1/3 innings on 78 pitches (51 strikes) against the Las Vegas Aviators, the Triple-A affiliate of the A's. Given where he's built up to, Glasnow should be a viable option to make his next start for the Dodgers.

"We'll see," manager Dave Roberts said following the Dodgers’ 6-2 win over the White Sox on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. "We're gonna circle up, but I'm hopeful."

Glasnow allowed three runs to the Aviators, all of which scored on a Carlos Cortes homer. In all, he gave up six hits and one walk, striking out eight hitters.

Glasnow has been on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation since April 28, one day after he left a start after one inning with shoulder discomfort. The 31-year-old was transferred to the 60-day IL as a procedural move on May 31 and had a 4.50 ERA in five starts before being sidelined.

Only two of the five starters who opened the season in the Dodgers' rotation have yet to miss a start, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Dustin May. Glasnow would be the first of the three injured starters from the Opening Day rotation to return, with Blake Snell around a month away and Roki Sasaki further behind.

The rotation currently consists of Yamamoto, May and Clayton Kershaw. Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound -- but serving as more of a multi-inning opener -- and Ben Casparius and Justin Wrobleski have also factored into the equation. Emmet Sheehan, who is currently down in Triple-A, also appears poised to rejoin the Dodgers soon, potentially giving the team some decisions to make.

But those decisions can likely wait until after the All-Star break. Casparius and Wrobleski, in particular, bring added flexibility with a strong body of work in long relief.