Tony Gonsolin in Position To Rejoin Dodgers in October — But in What Role?

The Los Angeles Dodgers are planning for starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin to make a third rehab start this week, leaving the door open for a possible return this season from the 30-year-old right-hander.

Gonsolin has completed two rehab starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City already, his first game action since he underwent Tommy John surgery last year. Gonsolin made his first rehab start on Sept. 10, pitching two innings. Gonsolin allowed two hits, no earned runs or walks, and struck out three. He made his second start on Sept. 15, giving up five hits, two earned runs, and one walk while striking out three over 2.2 innings.

The plan for Gonsolin’s third start is for him to pitch four innings and if his start goes well the Dodgers will have a “conversation” about him returning as either a starter or reliever this season. The Dodgers are also leaving the door open for Gonsolin to pitch in the postseason, though it’s not as likely to happen, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.

Gonsolin has been on the rehab trail since undergoing Tommy John surgery on Sept. 1, 2023. Due to injuries across the Dodgers’ starting rotation — Dustin May, Emmet Sheehan, River Ryan, Gavin Stone, Clayton Kershaw, and Tyler Glasnow — the team is open to a possible Gonsolin return this season.

Gonsolin dealt with inflammation in his right arm much of last season, pitching through the pain caused by the tear in his UCL all summer when injuries struck the Dodgers’ rotation.

The result: the worst year of his major league career.

In 2023, Gonsolin started 20 games and went 8-5 with a 4.98 ERA and 82 strikeouts. This was a significant drop-off from his first four major league seasons. Gonsolin had never recorded an ERA above 3.25 before the 2023 campaign. The Dodgers finally placed him on the IL after he gave up 10 earned runs in his final start on Aug. 18 against the Miami Marlins.

Gonsolin is looking to return from surgery and pitch the way he did when he was an All-Star in 2022. That season, Gonsolin was nearly unbeatable on the mound. He went 16-1 over 24 starts and posted just a 2.14 ERA, solidifying himself as a top starter on the team.

Pitchers typically need more than 12 months to recover from Tommy John surgery. For now at least, it’s on the table for Gonsolin.

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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