LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers have slowed Tyler Glasnow's rehab progression from shoulder inflammation because the right-hander's body didn't respond well after he threw a bullpen session on May 23, manager Dave Roberts said Monday.
But Glasnow downplayed any concerns about his health, describing the pause in his progression as precautionary. He said his back was "just a little tight" after his first bullpen session, and he expects to throw another one around the end of this week.
“My shoulder’s totally fine. That issue, I haven’t felt since I started throwing," Glasnow said on Tuesday. "It was fine. It really was just, I think, a precaution. I felt totally fine, I’m good to go.”
Glasnow has been on the injured list since April 28, one day after he left a start after one inning with right shoulder discomfort. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on Saturday in order to make room for waiver claim Chuckie Robinson on the 40-man roster.
Before going on the IL, Glasnow posted a 4.50 ERA across five starts, one of which also ended prematurely due to a cramping issue.
Glasnow, Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki all began the season in the rotation before going down with shoulder injuries. All three are playing catch. Snell is in a similar place to Glasnow and could throw his first bullpen session since experiencing a setback in his own rehab this weekend or next week.
When Glasnow hurt his shoulder in April, he spoke candidly about how frustrating it has been to deal with his personal injury history. Roberts echoed that sentiment on Monday.
"I say this speaking for him, I know he's just as frustrated as we all are, as far as the process over the last, since we've had him," Roberts said. "It just hasn't been linear as far as getting him back, and he wants to get back and help. Threw his one 'pen and then [his] body didn't respond, and so we're trying to figure out when we can ramp him back up."
With Glasnow, Snell and Sasaki, the Dodgers' message has been that they want to take the time to bring their injured pitchers back the right way in the hope that the team can have them at their best in the postseason. All three will need close to a full buildup at this point, so it will be some time before any of them will take the mound for the Dodgers.
"I’m trying to get out there," Glasnow said. "I want to be healthy, I want to be in the playoffs, I’m listening to [the training staff] and just trying to figure out as best as I can. Coming back as soon as I can in a healthy way to help the team in the playoffs is my goal."