PHILADELAHIA — The Los Angeles Dodgers, who have hovered around a .500 record for nearly two months, are grappling with persistent challenges in their starting rotation, exacerbated by injuries and reliance on inexperienced pitchers. Despite significant offseason investments, including the acquisitions of Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the team’s struggles were starkly evident during a series sweep by the Philadelphia Phillies, capped by a 5-1 defeat on Thursday.

Manager Dave Roberts expressed his surprise and concern about the current state of the rotation, particularly given the high expectations set during spring training. The Dodgers’ woes were magnified in their latest series, where they managed only five runs over three games while their defense faltered significantly.

The sweep by the Phillies highlighted the pressing issue: the Dodgers’ lack of reliable starting pitchers. Glasnow, a key player in the rotation, was notably absent after being placed on the injured list earlier in the week, joining Yamamoto, who is still weeks away from returning to play.

Rookie pitchers Gavin Stone and Landon Knack showed some promise but failed to deliver standout performances, leaving a gap in a rotation that has sorely missed its other injured stars like Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, and Dustin May. Their absence has left a palpable void, with Kershaw’s minor-league rehab stint being a critical component of his, and the team’s, path back to full strength.

With trade options limited and the market thin on top-tier pitchers, the Dodgers find themselves in a precarious position as the trade deadline approaches. Interest in players like Garrett Crochet and potential targets like Tarik Skubal highlights the team’s desperate search for quality arms, but no easy solutions are in sight.

Roberts remains hopeful, viewing the situation as an opportunity for younger players to prove themselves in a competitive setting. The eventual return of Glasnow, Kershaw, Buehler, and potentially Yamamoto could provide a much-needed boost to the team’s rotation depth.

The Dodgers’ immediate challenge is finding a way to compensate for the lack of a dominant starter, a factor that could prove crucial in the postseason. They might need to lean on the hope that players like Glasnow return to form quickly and that rookies like Stone can develop rapidly into consistent performers.

As the Dodgers navigate this turbulent period, the balance of their season could hinge on the successful recovery and integration of their injured players, alongside the rapid development of their less experienced pitchers. The sweep at the hands of the Phillies serves as a clear reminder of the hurdles that lie ahead.