After missing the first 30 games of the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Tony Gonsolin landed back on the Injured List Saturday with right elbow discomfort.
The move came as a surprise and is somewhat concerning given Gonsolin's recent surgery. Since his activation off the IL on April 30, Gonsolin has made seven starts, going 3-2 with 5.00 ERA and 38 strikeouts over 36 innings. The brutal injury news fits the theme of the season, however, as the Dodgers now have 14 pitchers on the IL.
Dodgers get bullpen reinforcements but lose starter Tony Gonsolin to the IL
In more positive news, the Dodgers’ bullpen got some reinforcements today, as the club activated Kirby Yates and Michael Kopech off the 15-day and 60-day injured lists, respectively. The Dodgers designated right-hander Chris Stratton for assignment to open up space for Kopech on the 26-man and 40-man rosters, while Yates will take Gonsolin's spot on the active roster.
Fresh off the IL, Kirby Yates caught up with @kirsten_watson to discuss his imminent return to the lineup. pic.twitter.com/zNFkRgQSm6
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 7, 2025
Kopech, whom the Dodgers acquired from the Chicago White Sox at the trade deadline last season, was sidelined for the first two-plus months of the season due to shoulder impingement he suffered during spring training. He began a minor league rehab stint in mid-May and posted a rather shaky 8.53 ERA and 2.21 WHIP in 6 1/3 innings across nine appearances, though he gave up just one run in four frames over his final five rehab outings.
Kopech was one of the Dodgers' premier high-leverage arms down the stretch and throughout their World Series run in 2025, but it remains to be seen whether he will immediately resume that role upon his return. The Dodgers may opt to use him in low-leverage situations at first and ramp him up slowly, considering he hasn't pitched in a Major League game since October.
Yates landed on the IL with a hamstring injury on May 18 but did not require a minor league rehab stint before being activated. The veteran right-hander should immediately slot back into a high-leverage role in the Dodgers' bullpen, and he could even see an increase in save opportunities given Tanner Scott's recent struggles.
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