The Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation remains in dire straits as the team maintains a slim hope of Clayton Kershaw and Gavin Stone pitching again in 2024.
Tyler Glasnow, who is on the injured list as well, already has been ruled out from returning this year. Glasnow suffered a setback in his recovery from tendinitis and has been ruled out because of a right elbow sprain.
Meanwhile, Stone has not yet started playing catch since going on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the lingering discomfort has made it unlikely Stone returns.
However, the 25-year-old is not yet closing the book on possibly contributing in the postseason, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“Mindset-wise, hopefully I can come back,” he said. “I don’t know for sure obviously. But hopefully when I start throwing again there’s no pain and everything.”
Stone was initially projected to start throwing during the current road trip. Had he managed to do so, it potentially would’ve sent him down a path toward making one start before the regular season concludes.
The more days that pass without Stone being able to throw a baseball, the longer his recovery process will be. The current outlook makes it difficult to envision a return before the Dodgers conclude the regular season on Sunday, Sept. 29.
Before landing on the injured list, Stone was the only Dodgers starter to make every turn in the rotation this season. He built on a strong showing in Spring Training and continued to prove growing pains as a rookie last year were behind him.
Stone is 11-5 with a 3.53 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 25 starts this year.
Impact of Gavin Stone’s injury
If Stone is not able to pitch in the postseason, it will leave the Dodgers looking to fill at least two spots in their rotation for October. That number could increase to three if Kershaw doesn’t return from his left big toe inflammation that’s being caused by a bone spur.
That has led to the likelihood of Walker Buehler being part of the Dodgers’ playoff rotation, and the likes of Tony Gonsolin and Landon Knack under consideration for the fourth spot.
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