Tony Gonsolin underwent Tommy John surgery on Sept. 1, 2023, which was expected to keep him out for the entirety of the 2024 season.
Gonsolin started his throwing program late in the offseason, but said he was “taking it slow.”
Although he was unlikely to return in 2024, Gonsolin was throwing at Dodger Stadium on Sunday and facing hitters.
His progression has gone quicker than anticipated, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Gonsolin could be an option to return this season.
“I think it’s slightly open,” Roberts said. “And I think that’s a good mindset for Tony to kind of shoot for something this year.
“If all things line up, great, and if it doesn’t, then we can pivot to ’25. But I think that his mindset that the door is not completely closed on ’24 is a good thing.”
Gonsolin’s rehab has been encouraging, and his stuff seems to be in a good place.
“I was talking to Ron Porterfield, who’s kind of manned the rehab,” Roberts began. “His command has gotten a lot better, the fastball he’s 92 to 94 (mph), so you’d expect an uptick in velocity. He’s using all of his pitches.
“So all that stuff lines up with kind of some options.”
Gonsolin finished the 2023 season 8-5 with a 4.98 ERA, 5.43 FIP and 1.22 WHIP across 20 starts. He saw both his strikeout rate (18.9%) and walk rate (9.2%) decline from previous seasons.
However, Gonsolin pitched through his UCL injury before landing on the IL.
The season prior, Gonsolin was selected to the National League team for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game, finishing the year with a 2.14 ERA, 3.28 FIP and 1.22 WHIP while striking out 23.9% of hitters and walking 7% in 130.1 innings.
What would Tony Gonsolin’s role be?
If Gonsolin is able to return to the Dodgers staff in 2024, he would not be an option for the rotation.
“It would be out of the ‘pen,” Roberts said. “Just looking at the calendar, the build-up, so that’s where it would be potentially.”
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