The Los Angeles Dodgers lost a member of their starting rotation for at least 10 days on Thursday after Roki Sasaki suffered a blistering in the fourth inning of his start against the Atlanta Braves.
Sasaki was battling through one of his rougher starts since the All-Star break. In the second half of the year, he has really figured things out, but now the Japanese pitcher is out of the pitcher’s mound.
With yet another starting rotation injury this season, Lauer is set to assume the opening, according to manager Dave Roberts, after he was moved to the bullpen for just one appearance.
While Lauer is serviceable as a starter, there is now an opening on the roster, and Gavin Stone needs to factor into the roster’s plans.
Stone has been nursing shoulder complications after a serious surgery that took place two years ago. He started on the spring training roster, made one appearance, and has been nursing it in Arizona ever since.
He re-emerged a few weeks ago, and Stone has looked stellar down in Triple-A during his rehab assignment.
Through four games started and 11.2 innings, Stone has a 1.54 ERA with 18 strikeouts and just one walk.
The big righty possesses a big arsenal with six different pitches, giving him the ability to adjust from hitter to hitter. His velocity is back to pre-surgery levels, and overall, the stuff looks the same as the last time he pitched in the major leagues.
Why Gavin Stone needs to come back to the Dodgers
Stone offers the ability to provide length either out of the bullpen or as a starter. With the Dodgers set to pick the best 14 pitchers for the bullpen, it is hard to see a world where Stone is not one of those.
It is understandable that the Dodgers are being very careful about how they use Stone, but with only a month of the regular season left and the postseason coming up, the kid gloves need to come off soon.
In any role, Stone can be a difference-maker, and there is now a window to find out what he can do.
One Response
Agree. Wise article. Time to see what he can do. They need a reliever who can go 3 innings and maybe spot start.