Team Dodgers lost Dust of life to a stress pronator flexor yesterday. That injury is expected to side him for four to six weeks, leaving one seat empty in five starts. LA manager Dave Roberts addressed the rotation issue ahead of today’s loss to the Cardinals.
Roberts notes that the club is likely to recall top pitching prospects Gavin stone to win the open spins slot (Twitter thread via Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times). Stone and Michael Grove were the only pitchers to start outside of the Dodgers’ expected top five Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urias, Tony Gonsolin, Noah Syndergaard and May.
Grove has been on the injury list for 15 days for almost a month due to a groin strain. He is with the club on the taxi team and could be rehabilitated in the next few days, although Roberts hinted that he would most likely join the relief team immediately. Grove has been in Extended Spring Training but has not been on a minor league rehabilitation mission.
Meanwhile, the club has provided an unfortunate update for right-handers Ryan Pepiot. Butler’s production is expected to take fifth place outside of camp with Gonsolin opening the year on IL. However, he suffered a severe chronological stress at the end of Spring Training, which required him to attend the 60-day IL. Pepiot has yet to throw off the mound as he continues to battle pain in his side, and Roberts said he is unlikely to return until around the time of All-Star Break (via Harris).
Stone is a reasonable choice for a comeback. He struggled on his major league debut earlier in the season, allowing for five runs in four innings. The 24-year-old has been powerful for Triple-A Oklahoma City, pitching to an ERA 4.04 with a quality hit rate of 27.5% over 35 2/3 frames in the highly-friendly Pacific Coast League. player.
Beside the Stone, Bobby Miller is one of the sport’s most touted minor pitchers and has achieved Triple-A. He made just four starts after being delayed in Spring Training and tagged for 13 runs in 14 1/3 innings. Unsurprisingly, Roberts suggested the Dodgers would rather Miller continue to receive representatives in Oklahoma City than attract consideration for a short-term call. Miller is still not on the 40 list.
