Another Dodgers Starting Pitcher is ‘Very Unlikely’ to Return From Latest Injury in 2024
The Dodgers were counting on seeing their starting rotation return to full strength, or close to it at least, in September as they geared up for a postseason run.
Instead, the revolving-door injured list carousel continues to turn.
Now, they are facing an immediate future without their most consistent starter all year.
Manager Dave Roberts told reporters Wednesday in Miami that Gavin Stone is “very unlikely” to return from the injured list. The right-hander still hasn’t been able to throw since he was placed on the 15-day IL because of soreness in his right shoulder.
Stone, 25, was in the running to collect downballot rookie of the year votes after getting off to a hot start in his first full season starting for the Dodgers.
After making the team’s season-opening rotation out of spring training, Stone went 11-5 with a 3.53 ERA in a team-leading 25 starts and 140.1 innings.
On June 26, Stone authored what remains the only complete game shutout by a Dodgers pitcher in 2024, allowing only four hits, no walks and striking out seven.
But Stone struggled in his latest outing, a five-inning start in Arizona on Aug. 31 in which he allowed five hits and five runs in an 8-6 Dodgers win. Six days later, Stone was retroactively placed on the 15-day injured list.
Last Friday, Roberts said Stone would begin a throwing program this weekend. Unfortunately, his shoulder wouldn’t allow it.
The timing of the injury always made Stone’s return this season far from certain, but Wednesday’s news effectively confirms the Dodgers must move forward without him in their rotation.
Kershaw Takes Step Forward
Veteran Clayton Kershaw seems like a better bet to pitch games for the Dodgers in October after the left-hander threw a full bullpen session Wednesday in Miami.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner has been dealing with a bone spur in his left big toe. He missed the entire first half of the season recovering from offseason surgery on the glenohumeral ligaments in his left shoulder. In seven starts, he’s 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in seven starts.
Kershaw would add a veteran presence to a rotation that currently includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Landon Knack and Walker Buehler.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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