When could Tony Gonsolin return? Dodgers pitcher reportedly hopeful of early comeback
Tony Gonsolin has been sidelined since undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2023, ending his season. He was not expected to return for the 2024 season, but the 30-year-old's efforts and quick recovery mean the possibility of his comeback has not yet been ruled out.
The Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher has reportedly thrown to hitters three times so far at the team's complex in Glendale, Ariz. Recently, Gonsolin threw a bullpen session at Dodger Stadium on Sunday before the Dodgers’ game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
After the session, Tony Gonsolin opened up about his recovery and potential return to the Dodgers:
“Overall pretty good. Ideally hope that I can come back this year but my first and foremost is, (I) got to feel healthy. Got to make sure I can command the baseball… I have a couple more lives then we will reevaluate from there. I’m not exactly sure what that looks like yet.”
Tony Gonsolin is scheduled to undergo another session on Wednesday. Gonsolin is coming off one of his worst seasons, plagued by injuries. Before that, he was one of the best pitchers on his team, with an ERA below 3.00 for three seasons.
In the 2022 season, he recorded a 2.14 ERA and made his first All-Star appearance. Discussing his chances of a comeback, particularly as a starter, he said:
“I will probably know if there is a chance, but we won’t know until we get there. We have to see how I am recovering after each live BP and go from there."
"I think there is definitely enough time to come back as a starter. We’ll see where we’re at. The main thing is just feeling healthy.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts opens up on Tony Gonsolin’s potential return this season
Last season, Tony Gonsolin recorded a 4.98 ERA with 1.22 WHIP in 20 games played. The LA Dodgers manager Dave Roberts opened up about his Gonsolin’s return (via Dodgers Blue):
“I think it’s slightly open and I think that’s a good mindset for Tony to kind of shoot for something this year. If all things line up, great, and if it doesn’t, then we can pivot to ’25. But I think that his mindset that the door is not completely closed on ’24 is a good thing.”
The Dodgers (78-53) are leading the NL West with a .595 winning percentage. The Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres are also in the race for the top spot, just 3 and 4.5 games behind, respectively.