Tony Gonsolin made his long-awaited return to the mound earlier this month when he began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The right-hander appeared in three games, allowing two runs on seven hits with 12 strikeouts over a combined 7.2 innings of work.
It was originally believed that Gonsolin wouldn’t return to the Dodgers this season, but the team seems more open to the possibility because of their need for starters.
“He is throwing a bullpen today in Arizona, and then he is supposed to throw a live session on Friday. So that’s where he’s at,” manager Dave Roberts said on Tuesday.
While Gonsolin could potentially pitch for the Dodgers this year, Roberts said he won’t be starting or appearing in any of the team’s final three games against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
Roberts previously indicated that Gonsolin was a candidate to come off the 60-day injured list during the final weekend of the regular season.
Although Gonsolin is not going to appear in a game against the Colorado Rockies, that wouldn’t necessarily be an impediment when it comes to potentially making the Dodgers’ postseason roster.
“I think it would be ideal (for Gonsolin to pitch before the playoffs), but not necessarily has to happen, and that’s for our kind of benefit, Tony’s benefit,” Roberts said. “But the most important thing is that we feel confident with his rehab.”
It isn’t clear what Gonsolin’s role would be if he makes the Dodgers postseason roster. The team could ultimately choose to utilize him as an opener who can pitch multiple innings but not be fully built up like a traditional starter.
Even in a somewhat limited role, Gonsolin’s presence on the roster should be a boost for the Dodgers considering Tyler Glasnow and Gavin Stone are out through the postseason, and the uncertainty surrounding Clayton Kershaw.
Potential Dodgers postseason rotation with Tony Gonsolin
As it currently stands, the only locks for the Dodgers postseason rotation are Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The other two spots could go to Walker Buehler and Landon Knack, unless Gonsolin takes one of them.
As for Kershaw, he has not made much progress in his recovery from left big toe inflammation caused by a bone spur.
“We’re in a holding pattern,” Roberts said Tuesday. “I don’t think there’s been improvement. I don’t see him facing hitters this week. So right now, I think that’s more on his health and himself.
“I think a holding pattern is somewhat fair. Him not facing hitters this week is going to be pretty telling in itself. So hopefully in the next few days, we’ll get a little bit more clarity on how he’s feeling. … It’s the toe, it’s just the body.
“From what I understand, he’s playing catch today, but there’s something that’s holding him up from progressing to facing hitters. And so for me, for the training staff, I was told that we’re kind of status quo and not moving forward.”
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