As the Los Angeles Dodgers were dealing with multiple injuries in their starting rotation, they inserted Gavin Stone for his MLB debut. Stone’s spot start also allowed the Dodgers to line up their top pitchers to face the San Diego Padres in the ensuing series.
Stone returned from Triple-A Oklahoma City nearly three weeks later to face the Atlanta Braves and made another start against the Tampa Bay Rays as he was expected to fill in for the injured Dustin May.
However, Stone’s struggles wound up getting him optioned back to OKC. But with Noah Syndergaard on the 15-day injured list and Julio Urías unable to return as planned on Sunday, the Dodgers need to fill a spot in their rotation.
Manager Dave Roberts said the expectation is the Dodgers will utilize a bullpen game in the series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies rather than recall Stone, via SportsNet LA:
“A bullpen game, essentially. … I don’t think Gavin will be an option this time around.”
The possibility of Stone starting was then officially ruled out when he took the mound Friday night for Oklahoma City. He allowed six runs on 10 hits, including two homers, over 4.1 innings pitched.
In his first start after getting sent back to OKC, Stone gave up three runs and walked six batters, also in 4.1 innings.
With Stone ruled out and the Dodgers facing the prospect of a bullpen game on Sunday, Andre Jackson figured to heavily factor into the equation. However, Jackson, who was recalled Saturday as the corresponding move to Shelby Miller going on the bereavement list, wound up completing a three-inning save in the second game of the Phillies series.
Dodgers outline plan for Gavin Stone
When the Dodgers bumped Stone out of their rotation, Roberts noted his rocky time at the Major League level was valuable but there were clear areas to work on while back in Triple-A.
“I still stand by it was a good opportunity for him and good experience,” Roberts said last month. “So just to kind of go down there and work on commanding the fastball. I think in the Minor Leagues, you have a lot more margin for mistakes and get away with them.
“And also when he does get two strikes, to be able to put hitters away with the breaking ball and changeup. I think as a competitor, you never want to get it handed to you. But I do think with Gavin’s toughness, he’ll take from it and know he’ll be ready when he gets back up here.”
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