The Los Angeles Dodgers have had a strong start to the 2025 season while also celebrating their World Series title from last year. But perhaps most importantly, they have not had any major injuries to begin the season.
They have endured some minor issues, such as Mookie Betts and Kiké Hernández dealing with illnesses, and Freddie Freeman having a mishap with his right ankle, but nothing that causes any concern long-term.
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As for their players who began the year on the injured list, many of them have been trending in the right direction.
Dodgers injury updates
Tony Gonsolin & Evan Phillips
Tony Gonsolin and Evan Phillips are the two pitchers furthest along in their recoveries. Both faced hitters at Dodger Stadium during Opening Week, and they appear ready to move onto the next steps.
“I think that their next progression is rehab assignments,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Phillips should be the first to return, and he again faced hitters on Monday, March 31. While walking off the field, Phillips said he was “all good,” and on Friday after his previous session facing hitters, he told DodgerBlue.com that he’s doing “really well” and his body has been bouncing back after throwing.
Gonsolin will require multiple rehab outings before he returns, but the Dodgers are undecided on how many he’ll make.
“Not sure,” Roberts said. “But you would think that to get a couple, then to kind of see where we’re at with our staff, I think two is certainly the floor.”
Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani also threw a bullpen session on Saturday, during which things went well.
“It was good,” Roberts said. “It was probably 25 pitches, something like that, and it was all fastballs; fastball, two-seamer. He felt really good coming out of it.
“So I’m not sure when his next ‘pen is, but I’m assuming that it’ll be a little bit more intense than it was on Saturday. But good, positive.”
Michael Kopech
Michael Kopech reported to Spring Training with lingering effects from right forearm inflammation that surfaced during the 2024 postseason.
He did not pitch in the spring and he was placed on the 15-day injured list to begin the season.
While forearm issues are certainly concerning, Kopech is trending up in his recovery.
“Michael is progressing,” Roberts said. “I’m not sure when his first bullpen is, but he is physically in a good spot.
“I think the theme of just not pushing guys and making sure that we have them for the majority of the season, and most importantly, down the stretch.
“So we’re kind of right on track with Michael.”
Kopech’s buildup should take a bit longer because he was completely shut down, but he is currently in that process and is progressing smoothly.
“There was a point where he stopped playing catch,” Roberts noted. “There was a point where he just kind of limited intensity with the throwing. There was a point where we didn’t do any bullpens.
“So all those things happened. And so now we’re on the build up phase of things. And as we approach April, I just don’t know when it’s going to be, but I know we’re trending in the right direction with Michael.
“I feel good. Our training staff, pitching guys, all feel good about it.”
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw also faced hitters on March 29 as he recovers from left toe and left foot surgeries that took place during the offseason.
“I saw Clayton, and I talked to him after that. He said he felt good coming out of it,” Roberts said. “It was one inning facing hitters.
“He’s going to see us on the road, I think it’s in D.C. So we’ll see him in D.C., and he’s got another live session, I think at home, in five or six days. So he felt good coming out of it.”
Kershaw still remains without a firm timeline, but the left-hander has been hoping to make his debut in June.
“I know he’s on the 60-day, so I guess you can kind of look at the 60th day, whenever he’s eligible, and kind of go from there,” Roberts said. “But there’s really no hard time on yet.”
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