When the Los Angeles Dodgers activated Tony Gonsolin off the 60-day injured list earlier this month, they expected his return to coincide with the end of bullpen games. However, that’s yet to play itself out through Gonsolin’s first three starts.
Gonsolin got all of five outs in his 2021 debut, and a second start only saw him log 3.2 innings. On Sunday, the right-hander was limited to just 46 pitches and again didn’t make it past the fourth.
However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed after the 9-8 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks the short outing was due to a physical ailment. “He had some soreness after his last start, so to make sure we get through this one and he’s able to make his next start,” Roberts said.
“Just watching the workload in this particular start.”
When pressed for details, Roberts only offered, “It’s shoulder tiredness. That’s as specific as I can get. It was his shoulder.”
Gonsolin’s fastball velocity was down from 94.6 mph this season to 91.8 mph against the Diamondbacks. He averaged 95.1 mph with the four-seam fastball last year.
“I think he located the fastball down, the changeup off of it, threw some breaking balls in there. I just think he sequenced really well,” Roberts said.
Gonsolin dealt with right shoulder inflammation that forced him to the IL before appearing in a game this year, but considers his latest ailment to be different and not as severe.
“It’s generally similar. It’s in the shoulder, but it’s probably more muscle fatigue this time than whatever was going on last time,” Gonsolin explained. “Throwing less this time will probably help and have a good recovery for my next outing. … Not a high level (of concern) at all.”
Gonsolin further explained a difference he felt besides not having full zip on the fastball was needing more time to get loose while warming up. He added there “absolutely” is an expectation to make his next start.
Dodgers close to getting healthier
Tuesday is the first day Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy are both eligible to be reinstated from the 10-day IL, and while the club has not decided when they will be back in the lineup, Roberts said it will come during the San Diego Padres series.
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