The Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation has been somewhat in a state of flux since Tony Gonsolin suffered a sprained left ankle during Spring Training.
The Dodgers originally expected Gonsolin to make a recovery time for Opening Day, but he was bothered by swelling and slow progress resulted in beginning the year on the 15-day injured list. A competition during the spring ended with Ryan Pepiot being named the fifth starter.
However, Pepiot surprisingly was put on the 15-day IL as well when the Dodgers Opening Day roster was set because of a left oblique strain. That thrust Michael Grove into the Opening Day rotation for the first time in his career.
Grove made four starts prior to going on the 15-day IL himself due to a right groin strain. That created another need in the next turn through the starting rotation, which Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Gonsolin is expected to fill, via SportsNet LA:
“We’ll see. He is here. He’s here for a purpose. Obviously, Noah is slated for Tuesday, but a likely possibility for Tony to start on Wednesday. It makes sense. … He was going to come back anyway, he feels good about it, he’s on board as far as where he was at in the buildup. He’s the best option right now.”
Gonsolin had seven strikeouts and threw 57 pitches (35 strikes) over three-plus innings while allowing just one hit and issuing two walks in a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City last week. The lone hit Gonsolin allowed was a two-run homer in Oklahoma City’s 8-6 win at Isotopes Park.
Gonsolin was removed after issuing a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fourth inning. He completed additional throwing in the bullpen during the fifth inning.
The Dodgers deciding to go with Gonsolin returning from his rehab assignment earlier than expected was chosen over possibly promoting prospect Gavin Stone for a spot start, or relying on organizational depth, such as Matt Andriese.
Tony Gonsolin worked on mechanics
Gonsolin recently noted the time off while recovering from the sprained left ankle allowed him to work on his mechanics.
“I started to create a little bad habit with landing,” Gonsolin explained. “The arm action was a little weird, the timing of the throw was a little weird. So got with Mark Prior and C-Mac (Connor McGuiness), and they saw it immediately. They’re like, ‘Hey, man, if you’re going to throw, you need to do it the right way.’
“So it’s a blessing in a way that I was able to correct some of the mechanical stuff or feel like I’ve corrected some of the mechanical stuff.”
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