HUGE BLOW: Injured Dodgers starter’s second rehab start goes very bad
Tony Gonsolin, a Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher, started his second rehab game of the season for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, but it did not go as well as his first.
On Sunday, Gonsolin pitched 2.2 innings before being replaced by Joe Kelly. Gonsolin allowed five hits, two earned runs, and one walk while striking out three for Oklahoma City.
He made his first rehab start of the season on September 10, pitching two innings. In his first rehab start, he gave up two hits, no earned runs, and no walks while striking out three. Gonsolin has a 3.86 ERA throughout his two starts.
The Dodgers are unsure whether Gonsolin will return to the squad this season. Los Angeles expects Gonsolin to miss the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery late in the 2023 season.
In 2023, Gonsolin pitched his worst major league season yet as forearm inflammation affected his throwing throughout the season. After starting the season hot with a 1.77 ERA through May while allowing zero earned runs in four of those first seven starts, Gonsolin began struggling over the summer as he regularly gave up four or more earned runs during his starts.
His season came to an end after his most recent MLB start on Aug. 18, 2023. In that start, Gonsolin lasted just 3.1 innings before he came out of the game after giving up eight hits, 10 earned runs, and four walks while only striking out two. He was placed on the injured list, and finished the season 8-5 with a 4.98 ERA and 82 strikeouts.
Prior to the 2023 season, Gonsolin had the finest season of his career in 2022. Gonsolin went 16-1 in a career-high 24 starts in 2022. He had a career-high 119 strikeouts and a 2.14 ERA while making his first All-Star Game.
Dodgers’ star Joe Kelly makes rehab appearance
In addition, bullpen pitcher Joe Kelly’s second rehab game was played on Sunday. Kelly tossed one inning for Triple-A Oklahoma City in his rehab outing on Sunday. He struck out two and gave up no walks, runs, or hits. Gonsolin performed almost exactly the same on Thursday during his rehab appearance—he merely struck out one as opposed to two.
Kelly’s right shoulder discomfort led to his placement on the IL once more on August 30, this time for a 15-day period. He has served two terms on the IL.
