The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Tony Gonsolin and optioned Adam Kolarek to their alternate training site at USC. Gonsolin joins the team for a second time this season and returns to start Wednesday’s game against the San Diego Padres.
Julio Urias was the original probable, and has been pushed back to the four-game series finale on Thursday. “Right now, trying to appreciate we’ve got 17 in a row, a short Summer Camp, and we want to make sure we really take care of the starters and pitchers in general,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained.
“Right now, to give them the extra day over a few turns, I think makes sense for everybody. We can kind of push them a little bit more when we get into September. The way Tony threw and it’s not just a Julio thing, it’s a good thing for all of our starters.”
The Dodgers began their stretch of 17 consecutive games last Friday, and including Wednesday, have 12 more remaining before an off day Monday, Aug. 24.
Gonsolin allowed one hit and threw four scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks in his 2020 debut. He was encouraged by the outing but optioned the following day in favor adding Mitch White as a fresh arm to a bullpen that had been carrying a heavy workload.
Kolarek heads back to USC for a second time in less than a week. Along with Zach McKinstry, he was optioned last Thursday in order for the Dodgers to get their active roster down to 28 players.
Kolarek was recalled Monday as the corresponding move to Joe Kelly being placed on the 10-day injured list because of right shoulder inflammation. Kolarek pitched two scoreless innings in Tuesday’s loss to the Padres.
Arm slot point of emphasis with Kolarek
Beyond the Dodgers having a bevy of left-handed relief pitchers, Kolarek was optioned last week in part so he could continue to refine his arm slot.
“Last year we used him quite a bit and with consistency against the left-handed hitter, so his release point and arm slot remained consistent,” Roberts explained. “This year it’s been a lot different, so when he went back to the secondary site, he kept that delivery down below consistent.”
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