The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Tony Gonsolin and optioned Josh Sborz on Sunday. Gonsolin joins the team a third time this season and makes a start in the series finale against the Texas Rangers.
Gonsolin had been with the Dodgers as a member of the taxi squad since the outset of their six-game road trip. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Thursday that the rookie would be making a fourth start for the team.
Gonsolin has yet to earn a decision in any of his outings this season, but has logged a combined 14.2 scoreless innings. Gonsolin has a 0.58 WHIP, 12 strikeouts against just two walks, and has held opponents to a .125 batting average.
“I just try to be as ready as I can be with all the scouting and that stuff,” Gonsolin said of bouncing on and off the Dodgers’ active roster.
“They give us ample time of notice when we’re pitching in games and all that, so I get to do all my scouting with plenty of time.”
Sborz made his 2020 debut by throwing a scoreless inning in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the San Francisco Giants, following a dominant effort by Clayton Kershaw and wrapping up a win. He’s 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in eight games in parts of two seasons.
Gonsolin details splitter development
In addition to pitching with a fastball that has good velocity, Gonsolin has a wipeout splitter that acts as an offspeed offering.
“I kind of started working on that in 2017 with Joel Peralta and Brandon Gomes; they kind of tag-teamed it,” he explained. “Gomes kind of pushed me off to Peralta, who showed me the ropes behind in. In ’17, it was really not very good. In ’18 it was a little better, got good results with it. In ’19, it took a little step back.
“This year, I’ve really put in a lot of work during Spring Training and the quarantine time to hone in hon how I want it to move, the grip and what the emphasis is behind it.”
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