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For those of you out there who enjoy bullpen games, I have some sad news for you. It looks like we may have seen our last one for a while, as Tony Gonsolin is expected to join the Dodgers’ starting rotation next week in Pittsburgh.
“Tony is here and he feels good,” Manager Dave Roberts said on Friday to the media. “He’ll be starting Tuesday or Wednesday. He’ll have an extra day [of rest] from yesterday.”
Gonsolin has missed all of 2021 with right shoulder inflammation. After throwing for the Dodgers in spring training, he was placed on the injured list shortly after the season began. Over the last week, he’s started three games for the Oklahoma City Dodgers. He’s thrown 10 1⁄3 innings and has allowed four runs. Gonsolin also struck out nine and walked three.
As Roberts mentioned, he’ll either start next Tuesday or Wednesday in Pittsburgh. Once Gonsolin is back, the Dodgers will have to make a move with their 40-man roster. Gonsolin is currently on the 60-day IL. Once he’s activated, the Dodgers will have 41 players, meaning they’ll have to either DFA a player or transfer someone else to the 60-day IL.
In addition to Gonsolin, the Dodgers also could be close to seeing Brusdar Graterol returning. He threw a scoreless inning for OKC last night and struck out the side. Roberts said he isn’t sure when Graterol’s next outing will be yet.
Corey Seager update
Corey Seager traveled with the Dodgers to Atlanta, but he isn’t expected to return any time soon. As Roberts mentioned the other day, he wanted Seager to continue his rehab while with the team on their road trips.
“He’ll be in the cage taking one-handed swings,” Roberts said. “He’ll be working with his body on the core and conditioning stuff. Running bases, taking grounders. He’s been playing catch. Just keeping his arm moving. The progression each day has gotten better.”
When asked about when Seager could potentially begin taking swings with both hands, he didn’t have an answer.
“I don’t know and I don’t want to guess.”