Michael Grove, Andy Pages and Gavin Stone have established themselves as key contributors to the Los Angeles Dodgers and were recently rewarded with new jersey numbers.
Grove, who had been wearing the No. 78 since making his MLB debut in 2022, is now wearing the No. 29. He is the first Dodgers player to wear that number since Austin Wynns in 2023.
Meanwhile, Pages has changed his jersey number to 44. He had been wearing the No. 88 since making his big league debut last month. Pages is the first Dodgers player to wear the No. 44 since Andre Jackson in 2023.
Stone also changed his jersey number to 35. He had been wearing the No. 71 since making his MLB debut in 2023. Stone is the first Dodgers player to wear the No. 35 since Lance Lynn in 2023.
Higher jersey numbers are usually reserved for rookies or players not expected to stay on the Major League roster for long, so the lower numbers indicate that Grove, Pages and Stone will be with the Dodgers for the foreseeable future.
Grove has been effective in a relief role this season as he is 1-2 with a 5.64 ERA, 2.73 FIP, 1.25 WHIP and 11.7 strikeouts per nine over 22.1 innings pitched (16 games; one start). The inflated ERA is a byproduct of Grove allowing 10 runs in his first four appearances.
Pages has impressed to the tune of a .271/.311/.458 batting line with six doubles, four home runs and 13 RBI through his first 25 games. He has received almost an equal split of starts in right field and center field since being called up by the Dodgers.
Stone is in the midst of a breakout season as he has gone 4-1 with a 3.27 ERA, 3.79 FIP and 1.27 WHIP across 44 innings pitched (eight starts). He has allowed two runs or fewer in six consecutive outings dating back to April 13.
Gavin Stone feeling more confident with Dodgers
When asked to explain his recent success, Stone said he is pitching with more confidence. “I would say probably just confidence, conviction,” he noted. “I feel like that’s key for me, but for every pitcher. If you pitch with conviction, more often than not, good things will happen.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
