Bill Plunkett

He won't be ready.

I'm still not convinced that they won't give Shohei Otani some more time to build up as a pitcher before they start putting him in games.

I think Emmett Sheehan probably, if they go with a six-man rotation, which they are planning, I think Emmett Sheehan sneaks in there and gets one of those spots too.

But I still think at the front of the season, there's going to be starts for Ryan or Stone.

Probably Stone.

If I had to guess, I'd say Stone.

He's more of a proven commodity.

He was terrific until the shoulder exploded in 2024.

River, we've only made four starts in the big leagues before he got hurt.

So if Stone is fully healthy, he's more of a proven commodity.

I think it is a mile long.

I don't think they have any intention of making a quick decision or pull him from the rotation, you know, anytime early in the year.

I think you have to think the way the Dodgers think.

They don't value the regular season the way most teams have to value the regular season.

They can afford to mess around a little bit and absorb some things because they're so deep and so good.

That's why you will see the Oklahoma City shuttle and pitchers will be coming up and down, soaking up innings.

You won't see a starting pitcher make more than, I would say, probably not more than 24 starts.

or throw more than 140, 150 innings because everything is built towards October.

So they have no motivation or desire to make a quick decision on Rokey.

He's going to get a long leash.