The Los Angeles Dodgers pitching staff has been among the best in baseball through the first three weeks of the regular season despite several key contributors being on the injured list. Among them are Caleb Ferguson and Victor González, who have yet to throw a pitch this season.
Ferguson is working his way back from Tommy John surgery that cost him the entire 2021 season. He appeared in a few Spring Training games and had some relative success, but it was clear he would not be on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster.
As for González, he somewhat surprisingly was placed on the 10-day IL when the team set their active roster. González had a strong spring and looked like a lock for the bullpen but started dealing with left elbow inflammation.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided an encouraging on Ferguson and González, revealing they could return to the team by the end of May, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
Roberts said the two could be back in mid- to late May, with Ferguson facing hitters this week at Camelback Ranch and González throwing a bullpen Tuesday at Chase Field.
In addition to facing hitters at Camelback Ranch this week, Ferguson began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday. The 25-year-old struck out his first batter faced before allowing a triple, walk and single.
He was removed after 20 pitches in what marked his first game since September 2020.
Given that he is expected to miss at least two weeks, it seems likely González eventually will go on a rehab assignment before being activated as well.
Dodgers may activate Kahnle for Giants series
While Ferguson and González are still a few weeks from returning, the Dodgers could be getting back Tommy Kahnle in the near future.
The right-hander, who missed the entire 2021 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, joined Low-A Rancho Cucamonga for the start of a rehab assignment earlier this month and recently joined Triple-A Oklahoma City to continue that process.
Roberts said the final hurdle for Kahnle to clear was pitching on back-to-back nights, which took place Wednesday and Thursday, and that could lead to being activated for next week’s series against the San Francisco Giants.
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