When the Los Angeles Dodgers decided on Dustin May as the final member of their starting rotation, the domino effect included Tony Gonsolin and David Price being placed in the bullpen as part of the Opening Day roster.
Price had volunteered to accept a bullpen role, and with Jimmy Nelson also joining the group, the Dodgers effectively had three starting pitchers who could be utilized in relief. However, Gonsolin has yet to begin his season due to being placed on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
There were few updates on Gonsolin since he reported to the Dodgers’ alternate training site at Camelback Ranch, but he has now resumed throwing. “He threw a 20-pitch ‘pen [Thursday] and came out of it good. Getting him off the mound was great,” manager Dave Roberts said.
“My guess is it will be another three or four days and then he’ll get back off the mound. It will probably be an up and down or 35-pitch. Something like that.”
With the Minor League season beginning this week, it can be presumed Gonsolin would join an affiliate for some semblance of a rehab assignment prior to coming off the IL. Roberts has not set any sort of timetable for Gonsolin’s return.
Graterol shut down
The Dodgers lost yet another key member of their bullpen when Brusdar Graterol was forced to the IL because of right forearm tightness. That can often be an ominous injury for a pitcher, though the Dodgers are still evaluating.
“He’s going to stay with us and get treatment, not play catch for a couple days and see how it responds. We haven’t had any tests yet, but I’m sure we will if soreness continues to be there,” Roberts explained. “But right now it’s sort of just shutting him down.”
Bellinger needs at-bats
On the position player front, Cody Bellinger (hairline fracture in left fibula) and Zach McKinstry (right oblique strain) are both at the alternate training site for their respective recoveries.
“He is still kind of going through the progressions, taking batting practice. He hasn’t taken live at-bats, but hopefully in the coming days that will happen,” Roberts said of Bellinger.
The start of the Minor League season could complicate matters for Bellinger and McKinstry. “I know players and pitchers will be there, so I think the floor is Belli and Zach can take live at-bats from our own guys,” Roberts explained.
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