Gavin Stone's promising return is abruptly halted by a shoulder setback, raising questions about the Dodgers' pitching depth! Just when it seemed like Gavin Stone was on track, a sudden shoulder issue has put a pause on his throwing program. This comes as a significant blow, especially after his impressive showing in his first Cactus League start, which was his first game in a year and a half following right shoulder surgery. While his performance was a ray of hope, any aspirations of him making the opening day roster have been put on hold. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Stone experienced soreness in his surgically repaired shoulder after a bullpen session, leading to this unfortunate development.
Stone himself admitted he was caught off guard. "I didn’t realize how bad things were," he confessed earlier this spring. "Honestly, Arizona was my last outing and I felt pretty good. It would get tired in between innings but it felt good. I never really considered that it would be as bad as it was. When I got the MRI back, it was kind of a shock." He expressed immense gratitude to Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed the extensive surgery to repair his labrum, rotator cuff, and shoulder capsule.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is it fair to expect a pitcher to be ready for opening day after such a significant surgery? The Dodgers' recent history with pitchers recovering from major procedures suggests otherwise. Consider Walker Buehler, who underwent his second Tommy John surgery in August 2022. He didn't return to pitch for the Dodgers until May 6, 2024, a lengthy rehabilitation period. Similarly, Tony Gonsolin had Tommy John surgery in September 2023 and is projected to return by April 30, 2025, even with a recent back injury complicating his recovery. This pattern indicates that the Dodgers often prioritize a thorough and unhurried return for their pitchers.
River Ryan is currently navigating a similar path. After his Tommy John surgery in September 2024, which sidelined him for the entire 2025 season, he recently pitched a scoreless inning. His layoff between games was even longer than Stone's. Manager Dave Roberts has been cautious with Ryan, emphasizing that he won't be rushed back into the rotation. Roberts noted that Ryan seemed to be "overthrowing" and a bit "bullish on the fastball" in his recent outing, suggesting he's still finding his rhythm in live competition.
Other pitchers in the Dodgers' orbit are also on their own build-up schedules. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was progressing well, reaching three innings before heading to the World Baseball Classic. Tyler Glasnow made his Cactus League debut, pitching into the third inning, and is slated for another start this week. Shohei Ohtani has been throwing simulated innings and will continue his side sessions to maintain his conditioning, even though he won't participate in the WBC. Roki Sasaki is also refining his arsenal, working on new pitches, with his next start scheduled for Tuesday.
Even Emmet Sheehan, who was considered a strong contender for a rotation spot, has been delayed by the flu and hasn't pitched in a Cactus League game yet. However, if he takes the mound this week, he still has time for four starts to prepare for the regular season. Justin Wrobleski is in a good rhythm, having been stretched out to two innings and looking to build on his strong finish from last season. Landon Knack is another starting pitcher on the 40-man roster, and veteran Cole Irvin, who pitched in the KBO last year, has also been stretched out to two innings this spring.
And this is the part most people miss: While Stone's setback is disappointing, it aligns with the Dodgers' cautious approach to pitcher recovery. But does this mean the Dodgers are taking unnecessary risks with their pitchers' arms, or are they simply adhering to a long-term strategy that prioritizes player health over immediate opening day readiness? What are your thoughts on how teams manage pitcher rehabilitation after major surgery? Let us know in the comments below!
