The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Kirby Yates and placed Tony Gonsolin on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort prior to Saturday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
In addition, the Dodgers also reinstated Michael Kopech off the 60-day IL and designated Chris Stratton for assignment.
Yates is back with the team after missing just under three weeks with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain. The Dodgers expected the veteran to be out anywhere from two to four weeks because of the injury.
Yates quickly overcame discomfort and tightness in the hamstring within a matter of days from sustaining the injury, but needed to continue testing it by playing catch and leading up to facing batters.
He did so this past Wednesday, alongside Michael Kopech, who also was activated on Saturday. “Both of them came out well. I think as we look today, there’s a good possibility this weekend of both guys being active,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Thursday.
Yates has gone 3-2 with a 4.34 ERA and 1.29 WHIP while allowing 1.45 home runs per nine innings. That’s a noted spike from last year when the veteran enjoyed an All-Star season as the Texas Rangers’ closer.
At the time of his injury, Yates’ 22 appearances this season was tied with Luis García for second-most among Dodgers relief pitchers. García himself was put on the 15-day IL on June 1 because of a right adductor strain.
Alex Vesia and Tanner Scott now lead the Dodgers bullpen with 30 games each.
Gonsolin returns to the injured list after missing the first 30 games of the 2025 season recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Due to his previous surgery, elbow discomfort is somewhat more concerning for the right-hander, and it’s another blow to an already decimated Dodgers’ pitching staff. The Dodgers now have 14 pitchers on the IL.
The 30-year-old made seven starts, going 3-2 with 5.00 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 36 innings. He’s had trouble with his command during his starts, allowing too many walks and home runs, especially in the first inning.
Gonsolin was an All-Star in 2022 after posting a 12-1 record with a 2.14 ERA in 24 games and across six seasons, he is 37-13 with a 3.34 ERA in 86 games (78 starts).
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