Dodgers pitcher suddenly leaves start with back injury

The Dodgers were forced to replace starter Tyler Glasnow in the second inning of their May 6 game against the Houston Astros.

Glasnow was warming up for the inning when manager Dave Roberts and a trainer visited him on the mound, then walked off with Glasnow before he could face his first batter.

The Dodgers subsequently announced that Glasnow left with low back pain.

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The Dodgers and Astros are tied 1-1 in the second inning.

Glasnow allowed a home run to Brice Matthews in the first inning. But his average fastball velocity (96.1 mph) was up in the first inning compared to his season average (96.1).

Although the injury is not serious relative to the elbow and shoulder injuries that typically sideline a pitcher for longer periods of time, it would hardly be a surprise if Glasnow goes on the injured list.

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The Dodgers are set to activate Blake Snell from his own injury rehab assignment this weekend. Their six-man rotation is full.

Placing Glasnow on the injured list would not only buy him time for his back to heal, it would create a spot on the roster and in the starting rotation for Snell.

Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, was 5-4 with a 2.35 ERA in 11 starts in 2025, his first season in Los Angeles.