With the 2020 season being shortened to 60 games, the Los Angeles Dodgers are more than one-third of the way through their schedule.
To this point, the Dodgers have been lucky enough to avoid any serious, season-ending injuries, although they have had a few players banged up.
Wood throwing bullpen session over weekend
One of the members of their Opening Day starting rotation, Alex Wood, is currently on the 10-day injured list due to shoulder inflammation that has limited him to just one start on the season.
Wood recently threw his first bullpen session after resting his shoulder for a couple of weeks, and he came out of it encouraged with how he felt physically.
Now Wood will throw two more times before the Dodgers determine a plan for him to return. “Alex is expected to throw a bullpen [Saturday]. It might be Sunday, but I think it’s going to be [Saturday] because he feels good,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“And the plan is for him to do that three-inning simulation on Tuesday. After that, we’ll know more.”
The Dodgers have arguably the most starting pitching depth in all of baseball, which gives them the luxury of allowing Wood as much time as he needs to get 100% healthy before returning from the IL.
Smith could be headed for IL
Speaking of the IL, Will Smith could be headed there as his neck issue that forced him to leave Wednesday night’s game against the San Diego Padres is still giving him trouble.
“With Will, just sort of mild improvement. He’s still really stiff, not pain, but the stiffness in moving his head side to side,” Roberts said. He reiterated the rookie catcher is day-to-day but added but “it’s not out of the realm of possibility” that Smith is put on the IL.
Austin Barnes will see a majority of the time behind the plate until Smith returns, with Matt Beaty serving as the team’s emergency catcher. If Smith is placed on the IL, Rocky Gale or Keibert Ruiz would likely take his spot on the active roster.
Gonsolin may be used out of bullpen
Tony Gonsolin is not injured, quite the opposite actually as he was recently called up and tossed 4.2 shutout innings, striking out a career-high eight batters against the Padres.
Roberts recently revealed the plan is for him to make another start since the team is in a span of 17 games in 17 games, although he walked those comments back a bit as he may make an appearance out of the bullpen.
“Things can happen and to have his length potentially, we don’t want to put him in a box yet. If we don’t have to call on him, he’ll certainly make a start next week,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers can get by without Gonsolin in the rotation since they have five other healthy starters. The organization has preferred giving everyone extra rest so far this season though, which is why it would make sense to give the young righty another start.
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