Dodgers Shake Up Roster: Tony Gonsolin Heads to 15-Day IL as Michael Kopech and Kirby Yates Join the Team

The Dodgers’ bullpen is finally seeing some relief as they activate Kirby Yates from the injured list. Michael Kopech also returns, while Chris Stratton has been designated for assignment to make room for Kopech. Unfortunately, Tony Gonsolin is now on the 15-day injured list due to elbow discomfort.

Gonsolin’s situation is concerning. He’s just back from Tommy John surgery, which kept him out all of last season. In his seven starts this year, he’s posted a 5.00 ERA. While his strikeout rate is solid at 24.2%, he’s been walking too many batters and giving up hard hits. The return of elbow issues might explain his struggles.

The Dodgers are feeling the pressure. With 14 pitchers currently on the injured list, they’re missing key players like Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow. Young pitcher Emmet Sheehan is recovering from Tommy John surgery and could return after the All-Star break. There’s hope for Shohei Ohtani as well; he’s working on his throwing and could pitch in the second half of the season.

In the meantime, the rotation consists of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May, and Justin Wrobleski. Ben Casparius is likely to step in while Gonsolin is out. It’s remarkable that the Dodgers remain competitive despite so many injuries.

The return of Kopech and Yates strengthens the relief corps, especially after losing Evan Phillips to Tommy John surgery. Tanner Scott is the main closer, but Yates or Kopech might get chances in late-game situations. Yates has a 4.34 ERA this season, which might not reflect his true ability due to some unfortunate luck.

Kopech hasn’t pitched yet this year, dealing with forearm soreness and a shoulder issue. The Dodgers are counting on his return to help stabilize the pitching situation.

Stratton, who recently joined the team, has had a tough run with a 6.75 ERA in limited appearances. His future with the team is uncertain, as he might seek opportunities elsewhere.

In a broader context, injuries plague many MLB teams, impacting performance across the league. A recent report showed nearly 30% of pitchers across all teams are on the injured list, highlighting the challenges teams face in maintaining their rotations.

The Dodgers are navigating a rocky road, but with the right moves and some luck, they could still make a strong push as the season unfolds.



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