ST. LOUIS – The injured list giveth and the injured list taketh away.
The Dodgers welcomed two injured relievers back Saturday, activating Kirby Yates and Michael Kopech from the injured list. But right-hander Tony Gonsolin went back to the injured list with right elbow discomfort.
Even with the activations of Yates and Kopech, the Dodgers currently have 14 players on the IL, all pitchers.
Gonsolin missed all of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. His return to the mound this season was delayed by a back injury late in spring training. He made seven starts, going 3-2 with a 5.00 ERA. Most recently, he gave up three runs in five innings in a loss to the New York Mets on Wednesday.
Gonsolin becomes the eighth Dodgers starter currently on the IL, joining Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Roki Sasaki as well as Emmet Sheehan, Gavin Stone, Kyle Hurt and River Ryan, all of whom are rehabbing from surgeries and have not pitched in the majors this season. Sheehan was scheduled to make his second start Saturday with Triple-A Oklahoma City on a rehab assignment. He is expected to return before the All-Star break.
Without Gonsolin, the Dodgers’ starting rotation for a three-game series in San Diego starting Monday is unsettled. Right-hander Dustin May will start Monday and left-hander Justin Wrobleski will likely get a second start Wednesday. He went a career-high six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday in what was expected to be a spot start.
But the Dodgers have no starter Tuesday, leaving open the possibility of a bullpen game, some kind of ‘piggybacking’ arrangement with Ben Casparius and Jack Dreyer or another promotion from the minors. Bobby Miller, Nick Frasso, Matt Sauer and Landon Knack would all seem to be possibilities. Knack was just sent down Friday and could only be recalled if it is to replace another pitcher going on the IL – something does not seem to be an obstacle for the Dodgers.
HELLO GOODBYE
Veteran right-hander Chris Stratton re-signed with the Dodgers on Friday after being designated for assignment earlier in the week, clearing waivers and electing free agency.
He pitched an inning in Friday’s loss to the Cardinals, giving up a solo home run to Willson Contreras.
Stratton was designated for assignment again Saturday.
UP NEXT
Dodgers (LHP Clayton Kershaw, 0-0, 5.17 ERA) at Cardinals (TBA), 11:15 a.m. PT Sunday, SportsNet LA, 570 AM