Dodgers, Tony Gonsolin haven’t ruled out a return this season

LOS ANGELES – More pitching staff help could be on the way for the Dodgers, although there seems to be a bit of discrepancy over just how viable of an option it is.

Right-hander Tony Gonsolin, who has been out this season after Tommy John surgery, threw a bullpen session from the main Dodger Stadium mound Sunday morning and said he has not given up hope of returning to pitch this season.

Gonsolin still isn’t a year removed from his surgery on Sept. 1 of last year. And while he has thrown to hitters three times at the team’s complex in Glendale, Ariz., he has yet to do it in a game setting, simulated or otherwise.

Another session against hitters will come Wednesday.

“I think there is definitely enough time to come back as a starter,” Gonsolin said Sunday. “We’ll see where we’re at. The main thing is just feeling healthy.”

Manager Dave Roberts also did not rule out Gonsolin’s chances of returning this season, but his assessment on whether it would happen was a bit more guarded. Roberts also said that Gonsolin would contribute as a reliever if he was able to come back.

“I think that’s a good mindset for Tony to kind of shoot for something this year,” Roberts said. “If all things line up, great, and if it doesn’t then we can pivot to ’25. But I think that his mindset that the door is not completely closed on ’24 is a good thing.”

Gonsolin said his timetable on a return will become clear by the start of September.

“I will probably know if there is a chance, but we won’t know until we get there,” Gonsolin said. “We have to see how I am recovering after each live BP and go from there.”

Pitching through elbow discomfort last season, Gonsolin was 8-5 with a 4.98 ERA in 20 starts. That came after a stellar 2022 season when he was 16-1 with a 2.14 ERA in 24 starts and was named an All-Star for the first time.

NEW LOOK

Sunday’s day game following a 10-inning contest on Saturday brought about a number of starting lineup adjustments, including Tommy Edman moving from center field to shortstop, Enrique Hernandez moving from the infield to center and Chris Taylor starting at second base.

Catcher Hunter Feduccia also was in the starting lineup for the first time, while making his second stint with the club. He had an at-bat on July 31 at San Diego.

“The thing with Hunter is that he is from the South, he has a slow heartbeat,” Roberts said. “In the (batter’s) box he’s very calm. I don’t think this moment will be too big for him and the guys like him. He’s been in the organization for a long time and understands what we do as an organization with the pitching staff.

ROTATION SWAP

Right-hander Jack Flaherty will have his next start moved up a day to Tuesday in a home game against the Baltimore Orioles. Right-hander Walker Buehler will drop back a day from Tuesday to Wednesday’s game against the Orioles.

“It’s just to give Walker an extra day,” Roberts said.

Buehler is 1-4 with a 6.09 ERA in 10 starts this season. He missed two years following his second shoulder surgery and then spent more time on the injured list with a hip issue. Since returning from the hip injury, Buehler has pitched just 7 1/3 innings over two starts with a 7.36 ERA.

ROCK N ROLL

Right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto will make his first minor league rehab start Wednesday for Triple-A Oklahoma City in a game at Round Rock in Texas. Before leaving, Yamamoto will throw a bullpen at Dodger Stadium on Monday.

Yamamoto has been on the injured list since June 16 with a strained right rotator cuff.

The Dodgers planned on Yamamoto pitching in simulated games but adjusted to having him face Triple-A competition instead. He remains in line to rejoin the rotation, possibly by the second week of September.

Yamamoto had a forgettable Dodgers debut back in March when he gave up five runs and lasted just one inning against the San Diego Padres in a game at South Korea. But he rebounded to deliver a 6-2 record with a 2.92 ERA in 14 starts.

ALSO

On the day the Dodgers handed out 40,000 Kobe Bryant jerseys to fans, the club donated $100,000 to the Bryant family foundation. Mookie Betts presented the check to Bryant’s wife Vanessa and daughters Natalia, Bianka and Capri. Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna and seven others died in a helicopter crash in 2020. … Right-hander River Ryan had successful Tommy John surgery and is resting at home in North Carolina. … Right-hander Brusdar Graterol (hamstring) is expected to start a minor league rehab assignment next week and is in line to return before the end of the regular season.

UP NEXT

The Dodgers are off Monday.

Orioles (TBD) at Dodgers (RHP Jack Flaherty, 10-5, 3.00 ERA), Tuesday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570-AM