Dodgers have solid options with Tony Gonsolin on IL

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin (26) throws during the first inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wis. MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL / USA TODAY NETWORK

Dodgers have solid options with Cy Young candidate Tony Gonsolin on IL

By Matthew Brown | Last updated 8/29/22

Hours before he was scheduled to make his start in Miami on Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers placed Tony Gonsolin on the injured list with a right forearm strain, retroactive to Aug. 26. The team called up Michael Grove to start in place of Gonsolin (16-1, 2.10 ERA), a Cy Young candidate and 2022 All-Star.

According to Los Angeles Times beat writer Jack Harris, the injury isn't serious and Gonsolin should be back before the end of the season.

Some more clarity here: Sounds like Tony Gonsolin's forearm strain isn't too serious. Per source, team believes they caught it on front end, and that he should be back this year

Start of playoffs are six weeks away https://t.co/I2pqLeETIm
— Jack Harris (@Jack_A_Harris) August 29, 2022

Although Gonsolin's injury comes at an inopportune time, the team has plenty of depth.

Dustin May, who returned Aug. 20, looks as dominant as he did before undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. Clayton Kershaw, who hasn't pitched since Aug. 4 because of a lower back injury, is scheduled to return Thursday or Friday.

Los Angeles could also lean on Julio Urías, Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heany in the rotation.

The Dodgers also have minor league players who could be called up when rosters expand from 26 to 28 players in September.

Bobby Miller is the best pitching prospect in the Dodgers' organization. Miller, who plays for Triple-A Oklahoma City, was drafted in 2020 and has moved swiftly through the farm system. In 39 minor league games, he has a 3.66 ERA and strikes out 11.1 per nine innings.

Miller received national attention earlier this year after striking out reigning MVP Shohei Ohtani looking with a 100-mph fastball in a spring training game.

Doing it in front of your parents. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/m2axhzsFRF
— MLB (@MLB) April 6, 2022

Gavin Stone, who also pitches at Oklahoma City, is the No. 7-ranked prospect in the Dodgers' minor leagues. He was drafted in 2020. Through 44 career games, Stone has a 2.56 ERA and strikes out 12.9 per nine innings. He recently earned the Branch Rickey Minor League Pitcher of the Year honor.

Danny Duffy, who underwent tendon surgery last October, has yet to pitch for the Dodgers since his trade to the team last July. The former Royal recently started a rehab assignment in the minors. Even if Duffy makes it back to the majors, he would just be an innings eater.

The Dodgers are already without Walker Buehler, who had a second Tommy John surgery and won't pitch until 2024.

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