The Los Angeles Dodgers have faced a challenging season, cycling through 17 different starting pitchers. Their path to the World Series just became more complicated. On Friday, they placed right-handed pitcher Gavin Stone on the 15-day injured list due to shoulder inflammation.
At 25, Stone was the only starting pitcher from the season’s opening rotation not to have dealt with injuries. He posted an impressive 11-5 record with a 3.53 ERA in 25 starts, throwing 140.1 innings.
After the news, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman expressed concern, saying it’s uncertain if Stone will return this season.
Gavin Stone, who was placed on the IL with right shoulder inflammation, will be shut down from throwing for about 10 days. Andrew Friedman said he’s not sure yet if he will be able to return this year: “There’s just so much unknown around it.”
— Rowan Kavner (@RowanKavner) September 6, 2024
“There’s just so much unknown around it,” Friedman noted.
For now, Stone will rest for at least 10 days. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have recalled starters Landon Knack and Justin Wrobleski from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill the gaps.
Knack, who has a 2-2 record and a 3.00 ERA in 10 starts, will replace Clayton Kershaw, who is sidelined with a bone spur in his toe. Knack is set to make his start Friday against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium.
Wrobleski, a 23-year-old left-hander, has been thrust into the rotation unexpectedly. He’s made six starts, going 1-2 with a 6.82 ERA, and will likely get more opportunities with Stone out.
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The Dodgers were hopeful that Kershaw and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (who has a rotator cuff injury) could return to strengthen a rotation led by Tyler Glasnow and trade acquisition Jack Flaherty. However, Glasnow has also been placed on the injured list with elbow issues, further complicating their October plans.
Alongside Stone, the injured list also includes Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, and Emmet Sheehan, all recovering from Tommy John surgeries, with no expected return until 2025. Rookies Kyle Hurt and River Ryan received similar bad news, needing season-ending surgeries of their own.
Currently, the rotation features Knack, Wrobleski, Flaherty, Bobby Miller, and Walker Buehler, with Yamamoto scheduled to return against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.
The Dodgers possess undeniable talent, but Stone’s injury adds uncertainty to their already precarious rotation. The pivotal question remains: who will be healthy enough to pitch come October?