The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to welcome back Gavin Stone next year after he missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from right shoulder surgery.
The former fifth-round draft pick made his MLB debut in 2023 and took a big step the following year after earning the final spot in the Dodgers rotation.
Stone led the team in wins (11), innings pitched (140.1) and starts (25) while posting a 3.53 ERA and 1.21 WHIP to go along with 116 strikeouts against 37 walks. However, he did not pitch after Aug. 31, 2024, due to right shoulder inflammation.
After a full year of rehab, Stone said he doesn’t expect any limitations when the Dodgers report to Spring Training in February, via K8 News:
“I just finished my rehab process, so hopefully going into next Spring Training, it’ll be full-go and we’ll see where it takes us.”
Stone’s comments reflect those of Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes, who recently said he expects a normal year for the right-hander.
Stone will look to pick up where he left off and continue establishing himself as an important part of the Dodgers’ future.
Could Gavin Stone make 2026 Dodgers rotation?
The Dodgers are expected to have another strong starting rotation on paper next season with Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki, Emmet Sheehan, Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto all likely to factor into the equation.
River Ryan is also on track to return after missing the entire 2025 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
With only five or six spots up for grabs, it will be difficult for Stone to crack the Dodgers’ initial starting rotation out of Spring Training. But at the very least he figures to serve as key depth in the event of an injury.
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