The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Tony Gonsolin and optioned Josh Sborz to their alternate training site at USC. Sborz returns three days after joining the club for the first time this season.
He was recalled ahead of the series opener against the Houston Astros, but was not among the 14 relief pitchers the Dodgers used en route to sweeping the two-game set at Minute Maid Park. Caleb Ferguson, Blake Treinen and Kenley Jansen all appeared in both games against the Astros.
Sborz made his MLB debut last season and went on to appear in seven games for the Dodgers. He was 0-1 with 8.00 ERA and seven strikeouts over nine innings. In five Minor League seasons across five different levels, Sborz is 24-20 with a 3.53 ERA and 370 strikeouts.
Sborz joined the Dodgers this year as a corresponding move to the team placing Alex Wood on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation. The domino effect meant needing to fill Wood’s spot in the rotation for Friday’s game with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Clayton Kershaw was initially believed to be a candidate, though after throwing a bullpen session on Tuesday, was scheduled for another Thursday. That prompted Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to rule out Kershaw’s return until Sunday or Monday.
With the Dodgers not allowing for players to travel commercially, Gonsolin made the trip from Los Angeles to Phoenix via car on Thursday. His start Friday is the first of this season.
Gonsolin made his MLB debut at Chase Field last year, in a start that was filled with tough luck. He went on to appear in 11 games (six starts) for the Dodgers in 2019, going 4-2 with a 2.93 ERA.
Gonsolin was a late arrival to Summer Camp, which essentially eliminated him from the conversation of potentially cracking the Opening Day roster. He was optioned to the team’s training site at USC to continue stretching out and pitching in simulated situations.
Wood trailing behind
While Kershaw appears to be days away from returning from the IL, that’s not the case for Wood. Roberts said he was instructed to not throw a baseball for one week as the team hopes it will better allow for the shoulder inflammation to subside.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our shows, and more!
