Dodgers All-Star Starter To Begin Season On Injured List

It's become official on Friday, as Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts finally confirmed the obvious: 2022 All-Star starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin will begin the season on the injured list. 

Dave Roberts said Tony Gonsolin won’t make Opening Day roster due to his left ankle injury. #Dodgers

— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) March 17, 2023

Gonsolin suffered a left-ankle sprain 11 days ago while jogging on the practice field, not in game action. He'll continue to rest and rehab, though Roberts really has no idea when Gonsolin will be ready.

“To say that he’s going to start the season, obviously we know that that’s not gonna happen,” Roberts said on Friday. “So what that means beyond that, I just don’t know right now.”

Gonsolin can now put weight on the foot, at least, and has extended his long toss program to 150 feet.

So how close is he to throwing off a mound? “He’s closer than he was yesterday," answered Roberts, "but I don’t know what that means.”

That's a lot of uncertainty. 

In the meantime, the 5th spot in the rotation is now wide open for the taking for either of prospects Ryan Pepiot or Michael Grove.

Pepiot, the Dodgers' No. 6 prospect, had a 1.50 ERA in his first three spring appearances (and was on the mound again on Friday). He went 3-0 with a 3.47 ERA in nine games (seven starts) for the Dodgers in his first taste of the majors last season.

Grove, No. 24 on LA's prospect list, has a 4.15 ERA in four spring appearances. He started six times in 2022 with the big club, posting a 4.60 ERA.

Gonsolin had a breakthrough season in 2022, going 16-1 with a 2.14 ERA, and claiming his first All-Star nod. 

Photo: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports