3 potential replacements for Gavin Stone amid Dodgers’ ongoing pitching struggles
The Los Angeles Dodgers' injury-plagued rotation received another body blow on Friday after starter Gavin Stone was placed on the injured list. Stone, who had been the only starter to be healthy for the team before Friday, was placed on the 15-day injured list with shoulder inflammation.
The Dodgers rotation is already without prominent names like Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Clayton Kershaw. Stone's latest injury is another setback for the team hoping for a deep postseason run.
With less than a month remaining in the regular season, the Dodgers are unlikely to rush back Stone, given their considerable lead in the National League West. However, the team will likely need to make some changes to their rotation to cope with Stone's injury.
Here are 3 possible replacements for Stone
#3. Landon Knack
Dodgers rookie Landon Knack was recalled in the aftermath of Stone's injury on Friday. Knack was a part of the Dodgers' Opening Day roster for the series against the San Diego Padres. However, he had to wait till April 16 to make his MLB debut against the Washington Nationals.
The right-handed pitcher has eight starts for the team this season and was named the starter for Friday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. Leading up to Friday's series opener, Knack was 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA.
#2. Justin Wrobleski
Justin Wrobleski is another rookie who will need to step up in the absence of Gavin Stone. The left-handed pitcher was recalled for a fourth stint with the Dodgers after his forgettable night against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.
Wrobleski was taken for 10 runs in his 5.1 innings and will hope to improve his numbers for the season when he gets his next start.
#1. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Dodgers fans will be relieved with the news of Yoshinobu Yamamoto's return. The Japanese ace arrived in Los Angeles with huge expectations after signing a record-breaking $325 million deal for a pitcher.
The hurler lived up to his name in the first half of the season before sustaining a rotator cuff strain in June. He has been sidelined since but is expected to make his return on Tuesday after two rehab starts. He is 6-2 for the season in his 14 starts with a 2.92 in his rookie year.
Although he will have a limited role in the first few days of his return. Yamamoto will significantly bolster the under-pressure Dodgers rotation.