The Los Angeles Dodgers have dealt with their fair share of injuries, as any team does, during spring training. The team received a blow when star pitcher, Tony Gonsolin, sprained his right ankle earlier this month. On Friday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts finally acknowledged that the 2022 MLB All-Star won’t be ready for the start of Opening Day.
“To say he’s gonna start the season, that’s not gonna happen,” Roberts said via Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
#Dodgers MGR Dave Roberts on RHP Tony Gonsolin, who has ankle sprain: “To say he’s gonna start the season, that’s not gonna happen.” Ryan Pepiot and Michael Grove battling for final rotation spot.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) March 17, 2023
Roberts didn’t provide a timetable for Gonsolin’s return, though it seems likely that he’ll be placed on the 15-day injured list to start the season. In the meantime, Andre Jackson, Ryan Pepiot and Michael Grove will compete and are strong in-house candidates for the final rotation spot.
Gonsolin is coming off a career-year, in which he made a career-high 24 starts and pitched to a terrific 16-1 record with a 2.14 ERA. Over the span of 130 1/3 innings, he had a 23.9 strikeout rate against a 7.0% walk rate. Opposing hitters slashed just .172/.237/.299.
Based on those numbers, it’s no secret why the Dodgers don’t want to rush Gonsolin back from an ankle injury.
The baseball world reacted to the horrible Dodgers news, as the team will be without Gonsolin once they break spring training. A lot of the reactions from fans were poking fun at those who think the World Baseball Classic should be canceled due to Edwin Diaz’s unfortunate injury, as Gonsolin was injured during spring training.
Literally how 🫥 https://t.co/C5QaBxNP38
— Morgan (@mmorgang_) March 17, 2023
Gonsolin messed up his ankle walking off the field and we're over here talking about cancelling the WBC. Baseball players get hurt in the most obscure ways. https://t.co/cgbxVSJriv
— Randi (@randi9320) March 17, 2023
CANCEL SPRING TRAINING https://t.co/6TWoGe0lRW
— wex (@lexiebu) March 17, 2023
https://twitter.com/Moondoggie2020/status/1636791131311865857?s=20
We really need to cancel spring training, glorified practice games https://t.co/D7A4QSAcmL
— DΛVΣ (@DoyersDave) March 17, 2023
The WBC is cur— oh wait. He didn’t play in it? https://t.co/Ez0sbvnrbW
— NICK (@nickgrodo) March 18, 2023
I mean, is anyone shocked Gonsolin is injured again? I hope Grove, Pepiot, Miller and/or Stone can step up this season! Dodgers will need these guys to eat up some innings and hopefully provide quality innings! #Dodgers https://t.co/7a5beJPSLQ
— EE (@EEstaris) March 17, 2023
CATMAN NOOOOOOOOOO https://t.co/9ENjdqGKOO
— Presh (@preshsss) March 18, 2023
#catman is always hurt man 😔 #Dodgers https://t.co/J6uHWE6CCV
— Jman76 (@jjnikk) March 17, 2023
