Unless “something really unforeseen” happens, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Tony Gonsolin probably isn’t going to be part of the team’s postseason roster. Gonsolin underwent Tommy John surgery about 13 months ago and was considered a longshot to pitch any big league innings this season, though Gonsolin did return in time to pitch 7 2/3 innings over three Triple-A rehab appearances. As Roberts implied to the Los Angeles Times’ Jack Harris and other reporters, however, Gonsolin is still viewed by the Dodgers as something of an emergency option, as it would be asking a lot of any pitcher who go from a year of inactivity right into the tension of important postseason relief innings.
While Gonsolin likely won’t factor into the L.A. playoff plans, Roberts was less concerned about Freddie Freeman’s bad ankle, as the manager was very optimistic Freeman would be ready for the start of the NLDS a week from today. Freeman suffered a sprained ankle in the Dodgers’ 7-2 win over the Padres on Thursday, and was seen on crutches and in a walking boot later that night. X-rays were negative on the ankle, however, and Freeman benefits from some extra time off before the Dodgers play their first postseason game.
More from the NL West…
- With $104MM still owed to him over the 2025-28 seasons, it isn’t surprising that Kris Bryant isn’t at all considering retirement, as he told Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. Bryant went into detail about the back and arthritis issues that have plagued his tenure with the Rockies, and how he is already pursuing a new workout plan to strengthen his core and get his back in playing shape. Since signing his seven-year, $182MM free agent deal with the Rox in March 2022, Bryant has been limited to only 159 games, leaving him both “guilty” about his lack of production and determined to turn things around as he enters his age-33 season. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it, it’s been terrible. It’s been terrible on me, physically and emotionally,” Bryant said. “I feel like I’ve let a ton of people down. There is nobody who feels worse about this than me. There are a lot of nights when I’m upset, I’m depressed. I want to be out there with the guys. It sucks. I want to be on road trips, I want to play.”
- After facing a notoriously quiet free market last winter, Blake Snell figures suitors will “be more aggressive earlier” in their pitches this offseason, as Snell told NBC Sports’ Alex Pavlovic and other media. Traditionally a slow starter even with a standard offseason, Snell didn’t sign with the Giants until more than halfway through March, thus essentially erasing his Spring Training and leading to a disastrous first three months of the 2024 season. Since the start of July, however, Snell has been spectacular, thus reigniting the expectation that he’ll opt out of the final year of his contract with the Giants in search of a longer-term deal in free agency. A return to San Francisco certainly seems possible, as Snell said he plans to speak with ownership and the front office, and again stated how he enjoyed playing with the club in 2024.
Giants78
Buster Posey, make it happen again!
rememberthecoop
Long, lonely nights spent counting his money. Yeah, I’d be really depressed too!
Mustard Tiger
These are the comments I unfortunately expect to see on the internet written by people who have never competed at anything at a high level. Disgusting.
kingsfan1968
The point being, it is better to be Rich, sad, depressed and living in a mansion while doing your Physical therapy and not have to worry about your family and future when you are set for life!
mlb fan
“Disgusting”…And exactly what high horse are you riding on?…What’s “disgusting” is people who take out their general unhappiness in life on others.
mlb1225
Yikes, you never like to hear a player having lingering issues with their back, let alone arthritis issues too. Those are the kind of injuries that completley sap a player’s power. Witnessed it this year with Ke’Bryan Hayes with a herniated disc and his exit velocity dropping over 3 MPH. There’s not really any ‘cure’ for it either. Real shame because Bryant was such a good hitter in the first half of his career, and by the looks of it so far, could go down as a huge “what if he stayed healthy?” case.
Warden of the North(acoss13)
The back issues started cropping up from his time still with the Cubs, but it only got worse. Hopefully his new workout plan works out for the Rockies next season.
VA/NC Orioles
Really wish the Orioles had pushed it at the deadline for Snell. Not only is he legit and also struck out 12 against them last week he’s pitched in the postseason as well.
Seeing the Orioles side of it this particular scenario had the feel of an old trade situation the giants and Mets came together on years ago with Carlos Beltran and Zack Wheeler. Giants got half a season of Beltran and the Mets got a highly rated prospect.
Burnes, Snell, and Eflin would feel much better heading into October than Kramer/Suarez.
There will likely be those that think Elias is not so great but it takes a well run organization to create and implement a strategy to hit and develop the number of prospects they have.
“Grow the Bats, Buy the Arms”
mlb fan
Even in a year that they don’t seem especially strong(or healthy), the Los Angeles Dodgers again manage to achieve the best regular season record in MLB.
Warden of the North(acoss13)
Dodgers just gotta get over the first round, it’s been an early playoff exit for a couple seasons now.
mlb fan
“Get over the first round”…Agreed, but the playoffs are a complete crapshoot and the best a team can do is give itself as many chances at the brass ring as possible. I mean who had Texas/Arizona going to the World Series last year?
Warden of the North(acoss13)
No disrespect to Giants fans, but another good example of a team just needing to get hot at the right time would be the 2010, 2012, and 2014 Giants. Arizona and Texas did the same, I agree with you.
Non Roster Invitee
Snell’s lame beginning cost the Giants a playoff spot.
Brew’88
the rest of the team was lame and that’s what cost the Giants a playoff spot
Non Roster Invitee
Giants front office was lame and that’s what cost the Giants a playoff spot.
sad tormented neglected mariners fan
You know what, good for Bryant acknowledging that he’s hasn’t held up his end of the bargain (a certain braves pitcher said this after failing Boston…)
I hope he is able to figure out his injuries and not have a career end like strasburg
Warden of the North(acoss13)
Sale had so many freak injuries, not all his fault either. It probably stings a bit for Red Sox fans to watch him have such a dominant season now with the Braves, I know I’d be a little miffed about it.
Non Roster Invitee
Farhan apologized for treating Giants rookies like homemade poop.