Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts introduced to reporters that right-hander Gavin Stone remains to be experiencing shoulder soreness and is “not possible” to return this yr. Alden González of ESPN was amongst these to relay the information on X.
Stone landed on the IL on Sept. 6 on account of proper shoulder irritation. The plan was for him to be shut down for about ten days, at which level the membership would determine on a path ahead primarily based on how he felt. It appears that evidently not a lot progress has been made and so the trail again to the membership has narrowed.
Previous to this damage, Stone was essentially the most dependable member of a rotation that had suffered a large number of accidents. He tossed 140 1/3 innings over 25 begins, with each of these figures nonetheless main the crew. The one participant near him in these classes is Tyler Glasnow, who can also be unlikely to return again this yr, so Stone will end 2024 because the crew chief in these two classes. He had a 3.53 earned run common in that point in addition to a 20% strikeout fee, 6.4% stroll fee and 44.2% floor ball fee.
The well being of the Dodger rotation, or lack thereof, has been an ongoing story all year long. Dustin Could, River Ryan and Emmet Sheehan every required season-ending surgical procedures earlier within the marketing campaign. As talked about, Stone and Glasnow are each on the IL and unlikely to be wholesome earlier than the season’s carried out. Tony Gonsolin and Clayton Kershaw are additionally on the IL however nonetheless may contribute within the coming weeks. Extra on them beneath.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto additionally missed about three months on account of a rotator cuff pressure, although he’s now again on the energetic roster. That’s a little bit of constructive information amid all of the detrimental stuff, although there are questions there as effectively. Yamamoto returned earlier than being absolutely stretched out and has solely thrown 4 innings in every of his two outings since coming again. The child gloves are apparently going to remain on, as Roberts stated the membership will proceed to present him greater than 4 days of relaxation between begins for the remainder of the season and possibly into the playoffs as effectively, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Instances on X.
Round Yamamoto, the remainder of the rotation has just lately consisted of Jack Flaherty, Landon Knack, Walker Buehler and Bobby Miller. Miller has an 8.52 ERA on the yr and is being optioned immediately, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic on X, Miller’s second optionally available task of the yr. Buehler has additionally struggled, with a 5.54 ERA on the yr. Knack has a powerful 3.70 ERA however in simply 56 profession innings on the main league degree. Flaherty is having a terrific yr however there are some well being considerations with him as effectively, as he had again issues with the Tigers that reportedly scuttled a deal to the Yankees earlier than the Dodgers acquired him as a substitute.
Whether or not the Dodgers will substitute Miller within the rotation or just use bullpen video games to complete the yr stays to be seen. They’re off on Monday, which may maybe assist them get by with simply 4 starters, although Yamamoto’s restrictions complicate issues. The membership is a digital lock for the postseason however the remaining video games on the schedule are nonetheless significant. They’re solely 3.5 video games up on the Padres within the West and solely two video games forward of the Brewers for the second bye by means of the wild-card spherical, with the Phillies at the moment holding the highest spot.
Even when the Dodgers are in a position to cruise right into a first-round bye, constructing a playoff rotation goes to be a priority. Maybe Gonsolin or Kershaw may assist out, relying on how issues develop over the subsequent few weeks. Kershaw has been on the IL since late Could on account of a bone spur in his left large toe. He threw an 84-pitch bullpen session immediately, per Gonzalez on X, which is maybe an excellent signal that he may nonetheless be an element quickly however the subsequent steps aren’t clear.
As for Gonsolin, he underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in September of final yr and is at the moment on a rehab task. His first outing lasted two innings and the second went 2 2/3. Per Invoice Plunkett of the Orange County Register, Roberts says Gonsolin will attempt to get by means of 4 innings in his subsequent outing after which the membership will discuss the place to go from there. “It’s nonetheless an extended shot,” Robert stated. “However I’m actually impressed that Tony has taken this actually severely as a possible alternative. He’s gonna take one other one, and we’ll see from there.”
There are many shifting components and the membership nonetheless has an opportunity to have a strong rotation consisting of Yamamoto and Flaherty with maybe some mixture of Knack, Buehler, Kershaw or Gonsolin in behind the entrance two. There even appears to be some non-zero likelihood that Shohei Ohtani will take a mound earlier than the season is completed, although that also looks like an actual lengthy shot.
The membership and its followers know very effectively {that a} flimsy rotation can sink an in any other case sturdy season. Simply final yr, the Dodgers received 100 video games however have been rapidly swept out of the playoffs by the Diamondbacks when accidents diminished their postseason rotation to Miller, Lance Lynn and an obviously-injured Kershaw. That can make their swirling rotation a key storyline within the coming weeks.
