LOS ANGELES – Dodgers right-hander Tony Gonsolin has already lost the rest of the season. His absence is now expected to last until the end of 2024.
The Dodgers announced Monday that Gonsolin will need Tommy John surgery. Surgery is scheduled for Friday and will be performed by team doctor Neil Elatrache.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, “We knew he had an elbow problem, but there was a time when he felt like he could pitch and get a major league hitter out. Until it’s gone,” he said. “As he talked to doctors, he felt it was time to do what was inevitable at some point.”
Gonsolin, 29, was placed on the injured reserve list on August 19 after being diagnosed with inflammation in his right forearm. He also went on the disabled list late last season with a torn muscle in his right forearm. He started the season at IL with a sprained left ankle, but 2023 turned out to be an eventful one.
Gonsolin started 20 games, went 8-5 with a 4.98 ERA, and struggled with arm pain for a long time before entering IL. Roberts was asked whether continued use with discomfort directly led to the need for surgery.
“He felt he could keep pitching and, to be honest, he could still pitch,” Roberts said. “But it wasn’t productive. I think with every pitcher, there’s always going to be some damage or tear.
“An MRI after the last start didn’t show anything worse that Tommy John had caused. This is what he had in mind. We thought. [Tommy John surgery] there was a possibility [outcome] From the middle of the season. ”
Gonsolin’s last match was the worst of his career. He gave up 10 runs on 8 hits and 4 walks in 3 1/3 innings against the Marlins on August 18.
Gonsolin had a $500,000 bonus for his 14th, 16th, 18th and 20th starts this season, and would have earned another $500,000 bonus for his 24th and 28th starts.
“I think that was my motivation to pitch,” Roberts said. “From a player’s perspective, it’s relatable and understandable, and if we had stopped this process months ago, he would have been in the same position as having Tommy John surgery. It was one of the things we had a really honest conversation with Tony.”
Gonsolin started 17 games last season, went 11-0 with a 2.02 ERA, and was named to his first National League All-Star team. He started 24 games last season, finished with a 2.14 ERA and a career-high 130 1/3 innings, finishing 16-1.
Right-hander Ryan Pepiot is looking to join fellow right-hander Gavin Stone in the starting rotation. Stone pitched six innings in bulk relief against the Red Sox on Sunday.
Peppiot seemed set to start the season in the Dodgers rotation due to Gonsolin’s sprained ankle, but then landed in the IL himself with an oblique injury. Pepiot returned to the mound in July and returned to the Dodgers earlier this month, posting a 2.00 ERA in two relief pitches (9 innings).
Peppiot returned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday and could return soon. Stone was ejected Monday after right-hander Tyson Miller was added to the active roster.
