The Los Angeles Dodgers rotation has long been the backbone of the team, but this season they have been one of the weakest points of the roster due to injuries and struggles from most of their starters.
All five Opening Day rotation members have spent time on the injured list this season, with Clayton Kershaw the last to succumb. Julio Urías, Dustin May, Noah Syndergaard and Michael Grove have also spent time on the IL. In addition, Tony Gonsolin, Ryan Pepiot and Walker Buehler all began the season injured.
Both Urías, who made his first start back off the IL on Saturday, and Gonsolin struggled against the Kansas City Royals, one of the worst offenses in baseball, and it was a continuation of down seasons for both of them.
Urías is now lined up to face the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday while Gonsolin should follow him the next day against the Los Angeles Angeles, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expects both to rebound.
“It’s important,” Roberts said when asked about the two pitchers bouncing back. “I think Tony has had a little bit of a rough patch as far as the last few outings, but every time he takes the ball I feel confident and my expectation is he’s going to go deep in the game. I think he’s frustrated, determined, to finish strong.
“And Julio, I just think it was kind of a funky start. There was a lot of soft contact. He was clearly frustrated. I expect him to pitch well on Thursday.”
Urías was only able to pitch three innings in his outing while giving up five runs with only two strikeouts compared to two walks.
Although the 26-year-old had had some positive results by limiting hard contact, he didn’t miss many bats, which was a concern. However, Roberts expects the swing and miss to improve moving forward.
“His last start, I think there was only three or four swing and miss,” Roberts said. “There wasn’t a whole lot, so I expect more.”
Urías’ season ERA now sits at 4.94 in 58.1 innings. He’s in a contract year so it’s important for him to finish the season strong, and the Dodgers also just need Urías to help solidify the rotation.
As for Gonsolin, he gave up four runs over 3.2 innings, which created a streak of him giving up four or more runs in each of his last three starts, and four of his last five.
His season ERA of 3.69 in 61 innings is still nothing to scoff at, but it’s nearly a run above Gonsolin’s career 2.72 ERA, and the Dodgers need more innings and consistency out of him.
Julio Urías and Tony Gonsolin more important with Dustin May out for season
The Dodgers announced May will undergo season-ending right elbow surgery on July 18 to repair his flexor tendon. The operation will be performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
May went 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA, 3.27 FIP and 0.94 WHIP in nine starts this year, which was his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery.
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