Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2025

Pitching injuries!

What is new?

Since 2023, the Los Angeles Dodgers have dealt with pitching injuries. Last year, it was amazing when the Dodgers won the World Series since the Dodgers’ starting rotation was decimated by injuries.

This season, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is the only starter who hasn’t been on the IL. Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and Clayton Kershaw have returned from the IL and pitched well.

Today, Tony Gonsolin underwent elbow surgery to repair his right flexor and putting an internal brace in his elbow. He will miss from eight to ten months. In August 2023, Gonsolin underwent Tommy John surgery.

Gonsolin started his 2025 season with two starts against the Miami Marlins in May and looked great. Then, he began struggling with his command.

Since June 4^th, Gonsolin had been on the IL with “right elbow soreness.” As the season progressed, it was evident that Gonsolin wasn’t going to be a factor in the 2025 season. In his seven starts, Gonsolin had 3 wins, 2 losses, a 5.00 ERA, and 38 strikeouts.

With the emergence of Emmet Sheehan and Justin Wrobleski, the Dodgers don’t need Gonsolin for the remainder of the 2025 season unless something goes wrong. On Thursday, Roki Sasaki will begin a rehabilitation assignment. If Sasaki can get his velocity, he will be a factor in the Dodgers’ rotation.

The news about Gonsolin is depressing but not unexpected. The Dodgers manage without him.

At the trading deadline, the Dodgers obtained right-handed reliever Brock Stewart from the Minnesota Twins for James Outman.

Since mid-April, the Dodgers have needed a reliable right-handed reliever. Blake Treinen was on the IL for three months with a forearm strain. Evan Phillips, who started the season late with a right shoulder problem, is out for the remainder of the season with Tommy John surgery. Michael Kopech has missed most of the 2025 season with right shoulder impingement and arthroscopic knee surgery. Kirby Yates is on the IL with lower back soreness. The likelihood of Brusdar Graterol of returning this year from last November’s right shoulder surgery is slim.

On Tuesday, the Dodgers put Stewart on the IL with right shoulder inflammation. The Dodgers think he will return before the season ends. The Dodgers need bullpen help, but the trading deadline has come and gone. They must figure out a way to close out games successfully.