Reds escaped recurring Tyler Glasnow problem that's haunting the Dodgers

The Cincinnati Reds were heavily linked to former Tampa Bay Rays starter Tyler Glasnow during the 2023-24 offseason. The Reds had just missed out on the postseason the year prior, and were looking for a frontline starter to pair alongside Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo atop the rotation.

Despite the Reds' efforts, the Rays eventually worked out a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers that sent Glasnow to southern California. Tampa Bay received pitching prospect Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny Deluca as part of the deal, and Glasnow received a five-year extension before even stepping onto the mound at Dodger Stadium.

Glasnow earned a trip to the All-Star Game during his first season in LA. The hard-throwing right-hander went 8-5 with a 3.47 ERA and 143 punch outs in his 18 starts ahead of the Midsummer Classic. Unfortunately, injuries derailed the remainder of his 2024 campaign, and he made just four more starts before being sidelined for most of the second-half.

Injuries have all but defined Glasnow's Major League career, and this season is no different. Recently, LA transferred the 32-year-old hurler from the 15-day to the 60-day IL, meaning he'll be out of action until at least the middle of July (and likely even later than that).

Glasnow had been dealing with back spasms since early-May, and had only made seven starts on the year. While Glasnow 3-0 in 2026 with a 2.72 ERA and 49 strikeouts over 39⅔ innings of work, since joining the Dodgers in 2024, he's made just 47 total starts covering 264 innings. That total comes out to 88 innings pitched per season.

Almost hilariously, despite being without one of their best arms in the rotation, the Dodgers remain atop the NL West standings. That's hardly a shock. In addition to Glasnow, LA has Cy Young candidates Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the roster, as well as Roki Sasaki, Justin Wrobleski, and Blake Snell (though he's also on the 60-day IL).

Constantly losing Tyler Glasnow to injury would've crippled the Reds

The point is, a high-dollar team like the Dodgers can afford to lose an arm like Glasnow for half the season and survive. An organization like the Reds does not have that type of luxury, and Glasnow's injury history is undoubtedly one of the biggest reasons Cincinnati eventually passed on the trade with Tampa Bay.

The Reds' margin for error is razor thin. Operating on a much smaller budget than Los Angeles, Cincinnati needs to rely on drafting and development, as well as savvy trades and free agent signings.

If the Reds were to have traded for Glasnow and lost him to the 60-day IL three times over three seasons, their chances of fielding a competitive team would've all but evaporated. Not just because of his absence on the field, but also what the Reds would've been forced to give up in order to get him.

Even now the Reds are struggling to stay afloat. Heading into Tuesday's game against the San Diego Padres, Cincinnati has lost five straight games, and injuries are big reason why. Greene, arguably the Reds' best pitcher, has been out since Opening Day, while both Lodolo and Rhett Lowder have missed time this season.

Reds fans are surely thankful that the team's pursuit of Glasnow ended the way it did, and it should act as a warning for the front office going forward. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

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