Josh Sborz optioned by Dodgers to make room for Tony Gonsolin

The Dodgers on Friday recalled Tony Gonsolin from the club’s alternate training site at USC to start the second game of the series against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix. To make roster room, Josh Sborz was optioned.

Gonsolin will be the sixth starting pitcher used by the Dodgers this season in eight games, and there will likely be a seventh by Sunday or Monday, depending on when Clayton Kershaw gets activated from the injured list. Kershaw, sidelined with back stiffness, threw a bullpen session on Thursday in Phoenix.

“He looked really good. The ball’s coming out well, he used his entire mix,” manager Dave Roberts said on a conference call Tuesday. “We look forward to him pitching soon. We’re really encouraged.”

Gonsolin had a 2.93 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 40 innings for the Dodgers in 2019, including six starts and five relief appearances, and made his major league debut on June 26 last year at Chase Field.

Sborz was recalled by the Dodgers on Tuesday when Alex Wood went on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation. Roberts said Wood was advised not to pick up a baseball for a week.

“We just wanted to let that inflammation subside and see where it takes us,” Roberts said. “So right now he’s still just hanging out right now and letting his arm rest.”

Sborz didn’t pitch in the first three games of the road trip. It’s unclear whether he’ll stick around as a member of the taxi squad, which for now is one player short. Victor Gonzalez was recalled before Thursday’s game.