Dodger Starter Still Hoping to Return This Season
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone hopes to start throwing next week in hopes of a return before season’s end, per Fabian Ardaya of the Athletic. This is in contrast to manager Dave Roberts‘ earlier statement a half hour before that Stone’s return “is unlikely” because the throwing program has been pushed back a week, due to shoulder soreness.
The right-hander has been on the 10-day injured list since September 6. The Dodgers are pessimistic about a return for Stone because of the limited number of games remaining on the calendar.
Dodgers Pitcher Gavin Stone Hoping to Return This Season
Stone, who made spot starts and appearances out of the bullpen for the Dodgers in 2023, had an ERA of 9.00 that season. However, Stone solidified a spot in the starting rotation in spring training this year. The right-hander made 25 starts with a more than respectable ERA of 3.53 in 14o 1/3 innings. Before getting injured, the hurler could be counted on to provide length and stability to a staff in flux.
Plagued by Injuries
Including Stone, every member of the Dodgers’ Opening Day starting rotation has visited the IL. Tyler Glasnow is out for the season while Yoshinobu Yamamoto has returned.
Since his arrival at the trade deadline, Jack Flaherty has given the Dodgers a much-needed boost. In addition, Walker Buehler may have found his stuff and his arm slot in time to help with a postseason run. The Dodgers need depth, so any good news is welcome at this point.
Potential Return of a Future Hall of Famer
Left-handerMiami, who has been on the IL with a bone spur in his big toe, threw off a mound today. Kershaw’s bullpen session included 83 pitches. His return date for this season is uncertain but remains a possibility. There is no question that if either Stone or Kershaw were to return this year, it would be a shot in the arm for the Dodgers.
The timing of Gavin Stone landing on the injured list with shoulder inflammation already put him at a disadvantage with the calendar, needing everything to go right for him to return to the Dodgers this season. But everything has not gone right.
Stone last started for the Dodgers on August 31, but was placed on the injured list on September 6. He was shut down from throwing for 10 days to allow the swelling to subside. Those 10 days were up on Sunday, but Stone still hasn’t thrown due to shoulder soreness. Which led to manager Dave Roberts telling reporters in Miami on Wednesday that Stone probably won’t pitch again this season.
On the same day that Tyler Glasnow was transferred to the 60-day injured list, the third member of the injured rotation triumvirate at least had some positive news. Clayton Kershaw threw an extended bullpen session of over 80 pitches on Wednesday, throwing off an actual mound to test his injured left toe, rather than the temporary mounds he’s been throwing from.
Roberts used a large chunk of his pregame scrum in Miami to discuss Kershaw’s outing.
