Steve Webb
MIAMI, FL — Gavin Stone, who had been a “rock” in the Dodgers’ injury-plagued rotation this year, is the latest Dodger pitcher to be scratched off the list of potential starters in the postseason. In early September, Stone was placed on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his right shoulder. As part of his recovery plan, he was initially shut down from any throwing activities for at least 10 days.
There had been optimism that Stone might begin throwing again during the weekend of September 14-15, raising hopes that he could return in time for the postseason. However, by Wednesday, September 18, the situation had not improved. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged that Stone still hadn’t started throwing, casting doubt on his chances of pitching again this season. According to Roberts, it’s “very unlikely” that Stone would return, as he continued to experience soreness in his shoulder.
The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya shared the update, noting the prolonged discomfort Stone was still dealing with in his shoulder.
As a result, the Dodgers will likely have to proceed into the postseason without the right-hander. While there had been a glimmer of hope that Stone could make it back in time for October baseball, it was always contingent on a smooth recovery process, free from any setbacks. Unfortunately, that has not been the case.
Stone had been a workhorse for the Dodgers this season, logging more innings than any other member of the rotation before his injury. His 2024 campaign, now likely over, saw him post an impressive 11-5 record with a 3.53 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP across 25 starts. Stone’s final appearance before hitting the injured list came against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he surrendered five runs in five innings. Following that game, he reported discomfort in his right shoulder, leading to his placement on the IL.
Dodgers’ Rotation Without Gavin Stone
With Stone likely out for the remainder of the season, the Dodgers’ rotation options continue to shrink. The team has already lost several key pitchers, including Tyler Glasnow, who was also ruled out for the rest of the year.
Clayton Kershaw is a potential option to rejoin the rotation, though his return is far from certain as he deals with his own injury concerns. As of now, the Dodgers are relying on a rotation that includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and Landon Knack. However, the team currently lacks a fifth starter after Bobby Miller was recently optioned to Triple-A.
Tony Gonsolin could potentially step in, but his return is also uncertain due to lingering injury issues. Beyond those pitchers, the Dodgers have few remaining options with starting experience on their 40-man roster. Justin Wrobleski, Ben Casparius, and Zach Logue are among the few healthy pitchers available, but none are established as reliable major league starters at this stage.
Stone’s absence creates yet another challenge for the Dodgers as they navigate the rest of the season. While his injury is a blow to the team’s pitching depth, the Dodgers have shown resilience in overcoming adversity throughout the year.
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