Dodgers Activate Tony Gonsolin, Option Matt Sauer After Stellar Performance
After 20 months away from Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers have officially activated All-Star Tony Gonsolin off the inured list to start Wednesday’s game.
As a result, right-handed pitcher Matt Sauer was optioned after throwing five innings and earning his first career win on Tuesday.
More news: Dodgers Lineup vs Marlins — Tommy Edman Surprisingly Out, Will Smith Off, Tony Gonsolin Return
The right-hander has been out of commission since August 2023, when he pitched at Dodger Stadium against the Miami Marlins. Wednesday afternoon, Gonsolin returns to the same mound to face off against the same team in his long-awaited return.
The right-hander had a stellar 2022 campaign where he went 16-1 with a 2.14 ERA and received his first All-Star honor. The 2023 season proved to be more difficult as he went 8-5 with a 4.98 ERA.
After 3.1 innings in his final start of 2023, Gonsolin was pulled from his 10-run outing and it was later revealed he would need Tommy John surgery on his elbow.
The All-Star worked to get back on the mound, which he was able to do by September 2024. But after three Triple-A starts totaling a 2.35 ERA, the team still opted to not have Gonsolin on any of the postseason rosters.
This past spring was set to be Gonsolin’s return to the rotation, which he was close to cracking before suffering a back injury that would set him back and allowed the final rotation spot to be filled by a fellow pitcher working to get back from an injury in Dustin May.
After four productive starts in Triple-A this season, Gonsolin is ready to return to the same mound he left 20 months prior. The move also comes at a time when the Dodgers have 12 other pitchers on the injured list and are in dire need of All-Star-caliber help.
First pitch will be at 12:10 p.m. PT to watch Gonsolin arrive at the destination of such a long road to recovery.
More news: Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw Not Pitching Tuesday in Scheduled Rehab Start for Triple-A
Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
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