In a game that was supposed to showcase two aces, the spotlight quickly shifted to the training room as both Tyler Glasnow and Lance McCullers Jr. exited early during the Dodgers' commanding 12-2 victory over the Astros on Wednesday night.

The matchup of injury-prone starters turned into a nightmare for Houston almost immediately. Glasnow, who had been dominant this season with a 2.56 ERA and 47 strikeouts over 38 2/3 innings, left the game while warming up for the second inning due to lower back pain. Before his abrupt exit, the Dodgers' right-hander did manage to etch his name in the record books, recording his 1,000th career strikeout in just 793 innings—the fastest any pitcher has reached that milestone.

McCullers' night didn't fare much better. After appearing to have an issue with his finger in the second inning, the Astros starter stayed in the game but was tagged for six earned runs, including three that scored on wild pitches. The unraveling continued into the third inning, when rookie Andy Pages delivered the knockout blow with a three-run homer, part of a career-first three-home run performance that powered the Dodgers' offensive explosion.

After the game, McCullers revealed that a portion of the fingernail on his right index finger "popped off" during the third inning, casting doubt on his availability for his next start. Glasnow, meanwhile, acknowledged that his back issue is a recurring problem he's dealt with since his high school growth spurt. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI, though Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that an injured list stint is unlikely for the veteran right-hander.

For a game that featured two of baseball's most talented—and fragile—arms, the outcome was a harsh reminder that even the best-laid plans can crumble in an instant. As the Dodgers celebrate a blowout win and Pages' breakout performance, both teams will be holding their breath, hoping these injuries don't linger into the summer months.