Dodgers News: Tony Gonsolin is Pitching on a Short Leash, According to Dave Roberts

Before Saturday’s game against the Colorado Rockies, Dave Roberts talked to the media about the on again off again struggles of Tony Gonsolin this season. Coming off an All-Star campaign in 2022 and a nice contract in the offseason that incentivizes him to go out and perform well, Gonsolin has taken a big step back this season.

He’s allowing more hits per nine innings than ever while striking out the fewest per nine of his career. For Roberts, he’s beginning to question Gonsolin’s role for the club down the stretch.

“Yeah, it’s no secret that the last … it’s been a while that he hasn’t pitched well, to be quite frank,” Roberts said before the game. “Given the way other guys are throwing the baseball, he’s gonna have to pitch well, and I think he’d be the first to tell you that. But as we started getting guys back and we start kind of honing in on the end of the season, we’re going to go with our best pitchers, and that’s the way it should be.”

Via the LA Times

Gonsolin went 6 innings and allowed 1 home run against the last-place Rockies. He had perfect control while striking out 6. He threw 91 pitches.

While it was a fantastic outing, Gonsolin performed well against one of the poorest teams in the major leagues.

Gonsolin has 7 wins and 4 losses with a 4.42 ERA. His poor performance is a shock after his All-Star selection in 2022.

While Gonsolin was late beginning the season because of a sprained ankle, he was brilliant in April and May. Since June 1st, he has performed badly. In June, he had a 5.82 ERA, in July, he had a 6.39 ERA, and in August, counting Saturday’s start, he has a 5.73 ERA.

With a healthy Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urías, Lance Lynn, Bobby Miller, and Ryan Yarbrough, the Dodgers can skip Gonsolin if he doesn’t pitch better.

Now, the Dodgers have used Yarbrough as a long reliever, and he has performed with excellence.

For the first time during the 2023 campaign, the Dodgers have options for their starting rotation. They can go with a 6-man rotation or move an underachieving starter to the bullpen. As the Dodgers prepare for the postseason, they will evaluate starters’ performances to see which will give them the best chances of winning. 

Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports

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