Dodgers sideline starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin due to reported injury, removal from active roster confirmed.
The Dodgers Face Another Hurdle with Gonsolin's Elbow Injury
ST. LOUIS - The Dodgers' rollercoaster season took yet another twist on Saturday, as star pitcher, Tony Gonsolin, found himself sidelined due to discomfort in his right elbow.
Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts, announced that Gonsolin would undergo an MRI scan to assess the extent of the injury. "With a pitcher, when there's elbow discomfort, we didn't see him making his next start. And so it just seemed like the logical thing, given where the pitching is at, to get him offline," he explained.
Kevin Baxter's Bandwagon Keep Spinning
The Dodgers' offensive woes continued as they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday. Despite a solid performance by pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers stranded twelve runners on base, resulting in a heartbreaking 2-1 loss.
Gonsolin, who was an All-Star in 2022, had undergone Tommy John surgery in 2024 and missed the first 30 games of this season. He returned to make seven starts, compiling a 3-2 record and a 5.00 ERA. His latest outing against the Mets, however, saw him give up two earned runs in five innings, contributing to a 6-1 loss.
Walkoff Woes and Bullpen Blues
Gonsolin's move to the injured list complicates an already challenging situation for Roberts, who is already without Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, and Tyler Glasnow due to injuries. When asked if he was questioning what else could go wrong with his pitching staff, Roberts replied quickly, "I don’t want to wonder that. We all know Murphy's Law, so we’re dealing with whatever comes our way."
Scrambling the Roster
To fill Gonsolin's vacancy in the rotation, the Dodgers have reshuffled their pitching staff. Matt Sauer has been recalled from Triple-A and will take Gonsolin's place temporarily, with José Ureña being designated for assignment to clear a spot for Sauer.
In the short term, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May, and Justin Wrobleski will continue to lead the Dodgers' pitching attack. However, the team's rotation remains prone to change due to health and performance issues.
Uncertainty and Depth
The Dodgers' rotation remains fluid, with health and performance likely to dictate further changes as the season progresses. The club has openly discussed a possible switch to a six-man rotation later in the year to manage workloads and minimize the risk of injuries. However, the general manager has expressed confidence in the team's internal options, provided there are no additional injuries.
The Dodgers' roster is teeming with potential replacements, including Emmet Sheehan, Landon Knack, Bobby Miller, and Nick Frasso, all of whom are awaiting their chances from Triple-A. As the season unfolds, it remains to be seen which of these names will step up to support the team in their push for a championship.
References
[1] March 1, 2025. Rober O'Neill. "Tony Gonsolin placed on Injured List, Dodgers make rotation adjustments". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2025-03-01/tony-gonsolin-injury-dodgers-rotation
[2] March 2, 2025. Tim Brantley. "Dodgers honest about potential six-man rotation". Dodgers Digest. Retrieved from https://www.dodgersdigest.com/dodgers-honest-about-potential-six-man-rotation
[3] March 3, 2025. Janet McIntyre. "Matt Sauer called up to Dodgers to fill Gonsolin's spot". SportsNet LA. Retrieved from https://www.sportsnetla.com/news/matt-sauer-called-up-to-dodgers-to-fill-gonsolins-spot
[4] March 4, 2025. Alex Pavlovic. "Dodgers strand 12 in loss to Cardinals, but offense continues to show improvements". Mercury News. Retrieved from https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/03/04/dodgers-strand-12-in-loss-to-cardinals-but-offense-continues-to-show-improvements/
[5] March 5, 2025. Randy Rosetta. "Dodgers' rotation remains up in the air following Tony Gonsolin's injury". CBS Sports. Retrieved from https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/dodgers-rotation-remains-up-in-the-air-following-tony-gonsolins-injury/
- The Dodgers' rotation is uncertain following Tony Gonsolin's elbow injury, with potential replacements such as Emmet Sheehan, Landon Knack, Bobby Miller, and Nick Frasso waiting in Triple-A.
- Gonsolin, a California-based baseball player, was an All-Star in 2022 but has faced several injuries, with his latest setback occurring in Los Angeles.
- The Dodgers' pitcher, Tony Gonsolin, is a California native who plays for the Major League Baseball (MLB) team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and his injury will likely influence the team's sports performance in baseball.
- Given the pitching injuries to Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Tyler Glasnow, and now Tony Gonsolin, the Dodgers' manager, Dave Roberts, has to navigate a challenging situation, implementing temporary changes such as recalling Matt Sauer from Triple-A to fill Gonsolin's spot.
