Knack has plan to not just make Dodgers' rotation, but stay there

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- For Landon Knack, the margin for error in a Major League rotation isn't just thin -- it’s "finite."

That was the word Dodgers manager Dave Roberts used Saturday morning to describe the 28-year-old right-hander’s command. As Knack took the mound at Camelback Ranch in the Dodgers' 6-4 loss to the Rockies, the narrative surrounding him shifted from whether he can pitch in the big leagues to how he can stay there.

Efficiency over 'tweaking'
Knack turned in his most efficient outing of the spring Saturday, throwing 36 pitches in three innings while allowing two runs on one hit and a walk. Though the line featured zero strikeouts, a rarity for a starter, it was a byproduct of a deliberate pitch-to-contact approach that Knack says is part of "getting back to being me."

Following the outing, Knack reflected on moving away from the mechanical overanalysis that haunted his 2025 season.

"Last year, one of my issues ... was just trying to constantly tweak things," Knack admitted. "This one really was more so just back to being me a little bit more."

The 2025 season was a mental marathon for Knack. He spent the year as the Dodgers’ primary "yo-yo" player, bouncing between Triple-A Oklahoma City and Los Angeles. While he held his own in the big leagues with a 4.89 ERA in 10 games (seven starts), the lack of a set schedule took its toll in the Minors, where he posted a 6.66 ERA across 21 appearances.

"It’s still very difficult when you’re going up and down," Roberts said. "But to his credit, he never made any excuses."

While zero strikeouts might give some pause, it resulted in quick outs.

"I was glad to have a little bit more efficient one today ... get ahead, get some quicker outs," Knack said.

Scouting the 'conviction'
Knack doesn't possess triple-digit heat, averaging 93.1 mph on his four-seam fastball in 2025, roughly a tick below the league average of 94.2 mph. To be effective, he relies on what Roberts calls “conviction in his throw."

Statcast data backs this up. Knack’s most lethal weapon is a changeup with an elite 30.2 inches of vertical drop and a consistent six-foot release point. When thrown with conviction, it’s a devastating putaway pitch. Without it, the "finite" nature of his command becomes a liability for a pitcher who naturally induces fly balls.

The road ahead
The stakes for Knack’s "conviction" were raised earlier this week when the Dodgers announced that Gavin Stone was being paused from throwing due to right shoulder inflammation. While MRIs showed no structural damage, Stone is expected to miss at least a few weeks, leaving a void in the back of the rotation.

It's a situation where the door has swung wide open for Knack to prove he can be more than just a swingman. It also suits the "grinder" mentality Knack has often credited to his time at Walters State Community College, where he pitched for two years before transferring to East Tennessee State.

"It's definitely finding kind of the old me in the throw," Knack said. "Just finding the easiest way to just make it repeatable … make it consistent all the time."

For a pitcher whose value lies in his versatility, the message from the Dodgers’ staff is clear: Don't just throw. Convict.