Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Breaks Down Tony Gonsolin's Recent Struggles
At no point this season has Tony Gonsolin looked like the 2022 All-Star. Last August, Gonsolin strained his forearm. Although he came back in October, he was ineffective.
Coming into spring training, Gonsolin was healthy and looking forward to a big season. Immediately after exhibition games began, Gonsolin twisted his ankle during pitchers’ fielding practice. The Dodgers thought the injury was mild, but Gonsolin didn’t respond the way the Dodgers thought he would. He started the regular season on the IL.
Since the Dodgers needed Gonsolin immediately, they cut his rehab assignment short. He debuted in 2023 against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 28th and pitched 3.1 innings with no runs but walked 3 and struck out 1.
Sunday against the worst Major-League team, the Royals, Gonsolin went 3.2 innings and allowed 6 hits and 4 runs while striking out 3.
Dave Roberts was critical of Gonsolin after the game (via Orange County Register).
"I think the thing that stands out most is he just hasn’t had a slider," Roberts said. "With [right-hander hitters], the equalizer has been the slider, he just hasn’t had it. It doesn't have the bite. It’s been up in the zone, and he’s not getting the swing and miss that we’re accustomed to."
Gonsolin also is worried about his number of walks, but he responded to Roberts,
“That’s a fair assessment," Gonsolin said. "I thought it was a little better today, some of the executions of it, some of the movement. I’ve just got to do better."
Right now, the Dodgers have a starting rotation looking for its identity. With Clayton Kershaw on the IL and Dustin May out for the year, the team needs Gonsolin to be much more reliable.
