(Top Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Potential Dodgers Starter Suffers Setback

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Katherine Wacker | Last updated Mar 2, 2026 7:14 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking for their sixth man to round out their rotation. Right-hander Gavin Stone won’t be one of them, at least for now. He suffered a “setback” according to Manager Dave Roberts, per Jack Harris of the California Post. As a result, Stone will not be ready on Opening Day. The right-hander experienced persistent pain in his shoulder after a bullpen session following his first outing of Spring Training. He will be on the sidelines with Blake Snell when the Dodgers open the season at the end of the month.

Gavin Stone has had a “setback” with his shoulder and is “paused” from throwing right now, Dave Roberts said

Roberts said Stone’s surgically-repaired shoulder was bothering him again after last week’s start and a subsequent bullpen

Probably scuttles his chances for opening day

— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) March 2, 2026

Thrust into the Rotation

Gavin Stone solidified his spot in the rotation in 2024 after struggling out of the bullpen the previous year. His Earned Run Average fell drastically to around 3.50 as a starting pitcher, as opposed to 9.00. He was also the workhorse of the rotation that year with 120 innings under his belt. Unfortunately, Stone hurt his shoulder, and it had to be surgically repaired and he missed all of 2025 in recovery. Now, the same shoulder will cost him a good portion of 2026. Hopefully, the setback is minor because Stone’s stuff is filthy, as he showed in his inaugural start a few days ago.

The Door is Open

The opportunity to make the starting five just got bigger for Justin Wrobleski and River Ryan. The two have shown incredible moxie on the mound. Ryan was incredible in limited time. He had a microscopic 1.13 E.R.A. and his stuff was electric. before having to go under the knife himself due t0 an injured elbow. He missed 2025 as well. He came into Spring Training with 20 pounds more weight on his frame, and the Dodgers are hoping that the extra muscle will help Ryan through a rigorous regular season if he can stay healthy. ( Apparently, the recovery time from Tommy John is more predictable than that of shoulder surgery). Ryan’s repertoire has shown that it can miss bats as his high strikeout rate per inning can attest.

As for his part, Wrobleski distinguished himself mostly out of the bullpen last year. However, his five-pitch arsenal suits him as a starter, and the Dodgers like his chances to be part of the starting six. His 95 + mile an hour fastball has a lot to do with that optimistic assessment. The question is can he get used to the increased innings that he will be expected to pitch as he transitions back to a starter. In long relief last year, he tended to run out of gas in his third inning of work, but it looks like his chance as a starter is his to lose.