The Los Angeles Dodgers have hit a bit of a bump on the road to Opening Day, as starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin has been sidelined with an ankle sprain. While the injury is not considered to be serious, it could still impact Gonsolin’s availability for the start of the season.
Gonsolin suffered the injury during a workout earlier in March, and has been taking a “slow process” in his recovery, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. The team has been cautious with Gonsolin, who is a key part of their rotation, and has been working with him to gradually build up his strength and mobility.
The 26-year-old right-hander was expected to compete for a spot in the Dodgers’ rotation this season after a strong performance in 2020, where he posted a 2.31 ERA in nine appearances. With his impressive showing last year, Gonsolin was considered a strong candidate to earn one of the starting spots behind Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler.
However, the ankle injury has thrown a wrench in those plans, and it remains to be seen how quickly Gonsolin will be able to get back to full strength. The Dodgers are not taking any chances with his recovery, and are likely to take a cautious approach to his comeback.
While Gonsolin’s injury is not expected to be a long-term concern, it could impact his availability for the start of the season. The Dodgers are set to kick off their campaign on April 1 against the Colorado Rockies, and Gonsolin’s status for that game remains up in the air.
If Gonsolin is unable to go on Opening Day, the Dodgers will have to turn to other options for their fourth and fifth starters. Dustin May and Julio Urias are both in the mix for those spots, and will have a chance to prove themselves during Spring Training.
Overall, the Dodgers remain optimistic that Gonsolin will be able to recover from his injury in time for the start of the season. However, they will need to continue to monitor his progress and make sure he is fully healthy before putting him back on the mound.
