Last Updated on 07/09/2024 by Arun jain
The Los Angeles Dodgers have used 17 different starting pitchers this season, with the uncertainty surrounding their rotation the only thing standing between them and a clear path to the World Series.
That path became somewhat less clear Friday when the team benched right-handed pitcher Gavin Stone On the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
Stone, 25, was the only member of the Dodgers’ season-opening rotation who did not miss time with an injury. He was 11-5 with a 3.53 earned run average in a team-leading 25 starts and 140.1 innings.
Now, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told reporters Friday, it’s unclear whether Stone will pitch again in 2024.
Gavin Stone, who was placed on IL with right shoulder inflammation, will be sidelined from throwing for about 10 days. Andrew Friedman said he is not yet sure if he will be able to return this year: “There are a lot of unknowns around him.”
— Rowan Kavner (@RowanKavner) September 6, 2024
“There’s a lot of unknowns around it,” Friedman said.
Stone will not pick up a baseball for 10 days, Friedman said, adding that the Dodgers recalled starters Landon Neck and Justin Robleski from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Knack, 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 10 starts, is replacing left-hander Clayton Kershaw, who is out with a bone spur in his left big toe. The Knack begins Friday against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium.
Wrobleski, a 23-year-old left-hander, was barely on the Dodgers’ depth chart when the season began. He was pressed into six starts, going 1-2 with a 6.82 ERA and figures to have a long run by sidelining Stone.
Los Angeles was counting on the returns to health of Kershaw (who missed all of the first half recovering from offseason shoulder surgery) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (lost in June with a rotator cuff injury) to join a staff led by Opening Day starter Tyler. Glasno and trade-deadline acquisition Jake Flaherty.
Now, both Glasnow (elbow) and Kershaw are back on the injured list, making them doubtful to take the ball for the Dodgers in October. The Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies share the best record in Major League Baseball at 84-56.
Their ranks of injured starters also include Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin and Emmett Sheehan, all of whom are recovering from Tommy John surgery and are not expected back until 2025.
Rookies Kyle Hurt and River Ryan both made brief cameos this year before needing season-ending Tommy John surgeries.
For now, the Dodgers rotation consists of Knack, Wrobleski, Flaherty, Bobby Miller, and Walker Buehler. Yamamoto will return Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs.
For all their strengths, the Dodgers’ rotation shows a more glaring weakness without Stone. The main question mark surrounding the Dodgers is unusually dire for such a good team: Who will be healthy enough to start for them in October?
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