When the Los Angeles Dodgers lost Clayton Kershaw for the rest of the year because of more left forearm discomfort, manager Dave Roberts said it effectively sealed Julio Urias’ role as a starter for the postseason. However, the outlook for Tony Gonsolin remained more open.
“He’s in the mix, he’ll be pitching leverage innings whether it’s a start or kind of multiples,” manager Dave Roberts recently said. “We haven’t decided. Opponent matters, how we get there, all that stuff.”
But even with the Dodgers facing the prospect of needing a fourth starter for the first time this postseason, whether Gonsolin takes the ball against the San Francisco Giants remains unclear.
“He’s an option but I don’t want to set that in stone,” Roberts said before Game 3. “If you can tell me the usage of tonight’s ‘pen I can give you a better answer.”
Roberts also acknowledged whether the Dodgers would be leading or trailing in the National League Division Series was a factor. For his part, Gonsolin said he would appear in Game 4 “at some point.”
With L.A. pushed to the brink of elimination, it’s conceivable Walker Buehler will be asked to start on short rest. He threw 99 pitches and allowed three runs over 6.1 innings in Game 1.
Along with Buehler or Gonsolin, the Dodgers conceivably could call on David Price to pitch in some capacity in Game 4. Price was utilized this season in a traditional starter’s role, after an opener, and as a relief pitcher.
The versatility was one reason Roberts said the Dodgers added Price to their active roster after he was left off against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Gonsolin vs. Giants
Gonsolin allowed three runs in just 3.1 innings when he faced the Giants on July 19. It was his lone time pitching against the Dodgers’ longtime rival this year.
Gonsolin, who was also on the postseason roster for the Wild Card Game, last pitched on Sept. 30. However, he has faced batters in a simulated setting during an NLDS workout.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
