Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin struggled in his second rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Gonsolin couldn’t finish three innings. The right-hander threw 56 pitches over 2.2 innings. He allowed two runs, five hits, and one walk. He also recorded a hit-by-pitch.
Gonsolin is recovering from Tommy John surgery and made his first rehab start on Sept. 10. Gonsolin pitched through two innings, allowing three hits, no earned runs, and no walks. The righty also earned three strikeouts.
His first start was a step in the right direction, but Gonsolin’s latest appearance on the mound isn’t what the Dodgers were hoping to see.
Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly replaced Gonsolin in the third frame. Kelly was also making his second rehab appearance.
This is Kelly’s second stint on the injured list this season. The right-hander was previously sidelined by a strained right shoulder for two months.
In 31 games this season, Kelly is 1-1 with a 5.20 ERA. He’s struck out 30 batters in 27.2 innings but also struggled with control, allowing four homers (he allowed three all of last season), hitting four batters, and walking 14.
The Dodgers haven’t ruled out Gonsolin for a late-season return, however, the club doesn’t want to rush his recovery process. Gonsolin’s latest start is certainly a step backward, but the Dodgers are quite frankly running out of options for the postseason starting rotation.
The strongest starting pitchers are currently Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Flaherty has a 5-1 record with a 2.61 ERA in seven starts.
Yamamoto has made just one start since his return from the injured list. The $325 million offseason acquisition missed nearly three months due to a shoulder injury.
Although he is back on the mound for the Dodgers, Yamamoto will need multiple starts to ramp up for October.
Flaherty and Yamamoto make up two solid slots in the Dodgers’ rotation, but who else will the club depend on in October?
Time is running out for Gavin Stone to make a comeback from a shoulder injury. Clayton Kershaw is a long shot with his toe injury.
The Dodgers still have Walker Buehler and Bobby Miller , neither of which looks postseason-ready.
Rookie Landon Knack recently tallied a season-worst five-run, two-inning start Friday. It’s the worst-case scenario for the Dodgers.
Is it too soon to say maybe next season is our year?
Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
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