Gonsolin to undergo Tommy John surgery

LOS ANGELES — Dodgers right-hander tony gonsolin He was already lost for the rest of this season. It is now expected that his absence will also extend until the end of 2024.

The Dodgers announced Monday that Gonsolin will need tommy john surgery. The procedure is scheduled for Friday and will be performed by team doctor Neal ElAttrache.

“We knew he was dealing with elbow issues, but there was a point where he felt like he could throw and get hitters out in the big leagues … until he couldn’t,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. . “In talking to the doctors, we felt it was time to do, I guess, what at some point was inevitable.”

Gonsolin, 29, was placed on the disabled list Aug. 19 with what was diagnosed as right forearm swelling. He, too, was placed on the disabled list late last season with a strained right forearm. He started this season at IL with a sprained left ankle and had a rough ride in 2023.

Gonsolin went 8-5 with a 4.98 ERA in 20 starts and had been dealing with arm pain for an extended period before going on the disabled list. Roberts was asked if continued use despite discomfort led directly to the need for surgery.

“He felt like he could keep pitching, and to be honest, he could still pitch now,” Roberts said. “But it just wasn’t productive. With all pitchers, I assume there is always some damage or tear. Some guys can get over it, which Tony did.

“There is nothing that an MRI has shown after his last outing that was worse, leading to the Tommy John. This is something he had in mind. We thought (Tommy John surgery) was a potential (outcome) starting in the middle of the season.”

Gonsolin’s last outing It was the worst of his career. He allowed 10 runs, eight hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings on August 18 against the Marlins.

Gonsolin earned bonuses of $500,000 for making 14, 16, 18 and 20 starts this season and was in line for additional $500,000 bonuses for his 24th and 28th starts.

“I think that was a motivation to pitch,” Roberts said. “I can sympathize and understand that, from a player’s perspective. And I still believe that if we had stopped this process months ago, he would be in the same position to have Tommy John surgery. It was one of those things where we had a really honest conversation with Tony.”

Gonsolin was named to his first National League All-Star team last season after going 11-0 in the first half with a 2.02 ERA in 17 starts. He finished last season 16-1 with a 2.14 ERA in 24 starts and 130 1/3 innings, the most of his career.

Right-hander Ryan Pepiot appears to be in line to break into the starting rotation down the stretch, and fellow right-hander Gavin Stone argues for inclusion. Stone pitched six solid innings of relief against the Red Sox on Sunday.

Pepiot looked set to start the season in the Dodgers’ rotation because of Gonsolin’s sprained ankle before landing himself on the disabled list with an oblique strain. Pepiot returned to the mound in July and returned to the Dodgers earlier this month, posting a 2.00 ERA in two relief outings (nine innings).

Pepiot returned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, but could return soon. Stone was ejected Monday when right-hander Tyson Miller was added to the active roster.