The Los Angeles Dodgers are running short on time to get pitchers healthy, but Tony Gonsolin and David Price both took a step toward returning by participating in a simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday.
They faced the quartet of Hanser Alberto, Gavin Lux, Chris Taylor and Miguel Vargas, with Gonsolin doing the most throwing at an estimated 30 pitches over two innings. He has been on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain since Aug. 29.
“Encouraging,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts described the exercise for Gonsolin. “It was the first up-down he’s had in quite some time. Just watching him, I thought the stuff look good, I thought the arm speed was good. He used his entire pitch mix, which was great.”
In addition to Gonsolin throwing the most he’s had since suffering the forearm strain, he did so at full intensity in what was a change from recent bullpen sessions.
“I didn’t see any guarding. I was specifically looking for that second inning to see if there was some pullback or some guarding,” Roberts said.
“I didn’t see the radar gun, but just my eyes were telling me that it was a really good effort considering the environment.”
Next for Gonsolin, assuming he doesn’t experience any setback, is a bullpen session in the coming days and another opportunity to face batters. The hope would be for Gonsolin to stretch to three innings of work.
Roberts reiterated the Dodgers aren’t yet certain what role Gonsolin will have come the postseason due to not being fully stretched out.
Price follows Gonsolin
While Gonsolin took his break between innings, Price took the mound in a full Dodgers uniform.
“David looked good. He was in full uni, which I loved,” Roberts said. “I thought the ball was coming out. It was good to see.
“I thought he was throwing some cutters, some sinkers, threw a couple four-seamers. Like Tony, I don’t think he was guarding. I think he was letting it go. So really positive for David. And like Tony, we’ll see how they come out of it and the next steps will be accordingly.”
Price has been out since Sept. 4 due to left wrist inflammation, but Roberts noted at the time he’s also dealt with arm and elbow trouble this season.
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