While the Los Angeles Dodgers began their second road trip of the season on Thursday, Tony Gonsolin joined Triple-A Oklahoma City for the start of a rehab assignment.
He threw 57 pitches (35 strikes) over three-plus innings and allowed just one hit while collecting seven strikeouts against two walks. The lone hit Gonsolin allowed was a two-run homer in Oklahoma City’s 8-6 win at Isotopes Park.
Gonsolin issued a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fourth inning and was removed at that point. He completed additional throwing in the bullpen during the fifth inning.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts share details of Gonsolin’s velocity from the outing and noted it was key to reach a target goal in terms of pitch count, via SportsNet LA:
“It was three innings, it was good. I think it was 89 to 92 (mph), velocity. Did three innings and then pitched the fourth inning to one hitter, and walked that guy. But I think we got his pitches up to 60 pitches, which was great.”
The next step for Gonsolin may be a second rehab start with Oklahoma City in five or six days. He started just one Cactus League game during Spring Training prior to suffering a sprained left ankle.
“It was just kind of a freak thing,” Gonsolin recently explained. “I was trying to throw the ball kind of across my body, be a little athletic, and my body was done being athletic for the day. So just kind of caught it wrong. I don’t know if a cleat got stuck or just landed weird. But yeah, just kind of happened.”
The Dodgers initially expected Gonsolin to recover in time for Opening Day, but swelling and pain persisted. “After a week, I really couldn’t put ample pressure on it to even throw like normal,” Gonsolin said.
“So yeah, definitely surprised by how severe it was.”
Although the Dodgers needed to immediately tap into their starting pitching depth — compounded by Ryan Pepiot also starting the season on the 15-day IL because of a left oblique strain — the prolonged layoff allowed Gonsolin to correct his mechanics.
When will Tony Gonsolin be back with Dodgers?
Once the 28-year-old made enough progress in his recovery, the Dodgers targeted late April for Gonsolin’s return to the starting rotation. That won’t be the case, but early May appears feasible.
“I guess if you look at the math, it’s sort of right around there,” Roberts said this week.
However, with Michael Grove suffering a right groin strain, Gonsolin may join the Dodgers to fill out their starting rotation rather than remain on his rehab assignment.
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