Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Tony Gonsolin, who was already ruled out for the rest of this season, is now expected to be out until the end of the 2024 season.
The team announced on Monday that Gonsolin will undergo Tommy John surgery, with the procedure scheduled for Friday and performed by team doctor Neal ElAttrache.
Gonsolin, 29, had been dealing with elbow issues and attempted to pitch through them until it became clear that he can no longer do it.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained, “Talking to the doctors, we felt it was time to do, I guess, what was at some point inevitable."
The right-hander was placed on the injured list on August 19 due to right forearm inflammation, and he had also been on the IL last season with a right forearm strain.
Gonsolin"s 2023 season had been challenging, with a record of 8-5 and a 4.98 ERA in 20 starts. He had been experiencing arm soreness for an extended period before being placed on the IL.
Roberts clarified that while Gonsolin could still pitch, it was not productive, and the decision for surgery was not solely based on his last MRI results.
The manager stated, “This is something that he had on his mind. We thought [Tommy John surgery] was a potential [outcome] from the middle of the season."
Gonsolin"s last outing on August 18 against the Marlins was his worst performance to date, surrendering 10 runs in just 3 1/3 innings.
Despite the setback, Gonsolin had earned bonuses for reaching certain start milestones this season.
With Gonsolin out, right-hander Ryan Pepiot is expected to step into the starting rotation, supported by fellow righty Gavin Stone, who showcased his abilities with a strong six-inning relief appearance against the Red Sox.
The Dodgers will undoubtedly miss Gonsolin"s contributions, especially after his impressive performance last season, where he earned his first All-Star selection and finished with a remarkable 16-1 record and a 2.14 ERA in 24 starts.
However, the team remains optimistic about the potential of Pepiot and Stone as they navigate the remainder of the season without their ace.
