Player health is trending up for the Los Angeles Dodgers after activating Freddie Freeman off the 10-day injured list on Friday, April 11, and a group of pitchers continue to progress.
Evan Phillips and Tony Gonsolin have both been on rehab assignments with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets, while Michael Kopech, who began the season on the 15-day IL, is also making some progress in his recovery from a right shoulder impingement.
Blake Snell avoided a serious injury, but he has been shut down from throwing until the start of next week. The left-hander is dealing with left shoulder inflammation that popped up a few weeks ago. Snell tried to pitch through it, but the Dodgers decided rest was necessary.
An MRI scan showed no structural damage in Snell’s shoulder, which manager Dave Roberts said was the best outcome the Dodgers could have hoped for.
Dodgers updates
Michael Kopech
Kopech is set to throw his first bullpen session of the year on either Saturday or Sunday, Roberts said. The right-hander remains “a ways away,” from his return, but it is a notable first step.
Kopech first began dealing with right forearm inflammation during the 2024 postseason, and after that, he did not start throwing off a mound until late February, which severely delayed him.
Evan Phillips
Phillips made his fourth rehab appearance for the OKC Comets on Friday and posted a successful outing. He threw one perfect inning while striking out two.
“Evan had a good one the other day and he’s going to pitch tonight and continue to move forward,” Roberts said on Friday. “He’s doing really well and progressing nicely.”
Phillips is the closest pitcher to making his return to the roster, Roberts added. The right-hander has thrown 3.2 innings, but has yet to appear in games on back-to-back days.
The Dodgers could activate him any day now, or they could continue his rehab assignment looking to build him up more. Either way, Phillips should re-join the Dodgers’ bullpen within a week.
Tony Gonsolin
Gonsolin made his third rehab start on April 9 in which he looked ready to re-join the team. Gonsolin’s stuff and command has been sharp, but he still needs to continue building up his arm.
“Gonsolin had a good outing the other day and will try to pitch again on Tuesday, to potentially touch the fourth inning,” Roberts said.
After his next rehab assignment, Gonsolin could be an option to join the Dodgers’ rotation.
“Yeah. Touch the fourth, if he can get through the fifth or something like that, then he’s viable,” Roberts said. “Once we get through this one, he’s certainly going to be in the conversation to be called upon.”
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