The Los Angeles Dodgers’ recent acquisition of Tyler Glasnow, a pitcher with a challenging injury history, initially seemed like a smart gamble this season. Glasnow, who has only surpassed the 100-innings mark twice since 2016 due to recurring arm and shoulder issues, was nevertheless performing impressively with a 3.47 ERA over his first 18 starts and maintained an excellent strikeout rate. However, recent struggles, including consecutive starts where he allowed five earned runs, raised alarms.

The situation took a turn for the worse when Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced on July 9, 2024, that Glasnow was placed on the Injured List due to a back problem that “tightened up on him” during a Sunday game. This development not only sidelined the pitcher but also stirred a wave of speculative chatter across social media platforms, with some fans suggesting the Dodgers are manipulating the injured list, despite the clear signs of Glasnow’s discomfort in his recent appearances.

Dodgers’ followers are particularly sensitive to back injuries, recalling the troubles faced by star pitcher Clayton Kershaw. The uncertainty surrounding Glasnow’s return — whether it will be a brief hiatus or a more extended period away from the mound — only intensifies the concern given his previous injury woes.

Amidst understandable worries about Glasnode’s health and potential impact on the Dodgers’ season aspirations, a fringe of baseball fans have fueled conspiratorial theories about the legitimacy of his injury. Comments ranged from skeptical musings about the nature of his IL placement to outright calls for investigations similar to those faced by other teams like the Mets. This skepticism underscores a broader trend of distrust and speculation that often proliferates on social media during high-stakes moments in sports.

Regardless of these distractions, the primary focus for the Dodgers remains on Glasnow’s health and their performance moving forward, proving once again that while social media can amplify fans’ voices, it also often complicates the narrative with unverified claims and theories.