Dodgers Vs. Pirates Game Preview: Tony Gonsolin Makes Regular Season Debut, Michael Busch Starting At Third Base

The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off thrilling win in the series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and with a need for quality starting pitching, Tony Gonsolin rejoins the club to make his 2023 debut at PNC Park.

The right-hander missed the majority of April with a sprained left ankle he suffered in Spring Training, an injury that dragged on longer than initially expected. Gonsolin is hot off a solid rehab appearance with Triple-A Oklahoma City in which he threw 57 pitches over three-plus innings while allowing a two-run homer as his only blemish.

Gonsolin had his best season in the Majors last year, going 16-1 with a 2.14 ERA and 0.88 WHIP across 24 starts. His inclusion into a Dodgers starting rotation that has a collective 4.31 ERA would be valuable if Gonsolin able to find some of his top-end form.

Expectations for his first outing should be tempered, mainly because of the short rehab assignment with OKC, which could mean the bullpen would have a larger workload towards the latter part of the game. In his time on the injured list, Gonsolin noted that he was afforded an opportunity to iron out some mechanical issues that required some work.

The Dodgers lineup will faces Roansy Contreras in his fifth start of the regular season. The 23-year-old has posted a 4.57 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 19 strikeouts over 21.2 innings pitched.

Contreras is coming off back-to-back solid performances against the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds in which he allowed three earned runs and tallied 14 punchouts over 12.2 combined innings. Dodgers hitters should prepare to see a heavy two-pitch mix of sliders (45.7% usage) and four-seam fastballs (37.8%), with a few curveballs sprinkled in.

Aside from rookies James Outman and Miguel Vargas, who combined for four hits in nine at-bats, Chris Taylor logged a 3-for-4 night on Monday, including a go-ahead three-run homer in the top of the eighth inning.

Dodgers prospect Michael Busch makes a second consecutive start since getting recalled, this time playing the field at third base.

Dodgers lineup

RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
CF: Jason Heyward
LF: James Outman
2B: Miguel Vargas
3B: Michael Busch
SS: Chris Taylor
DH: David Peralta
C: Austin Barnes