Just as it appeared the Los Angeles Dodgers were a week away from beginning to add to their starting rotation, Hyun-Jin Ryu suffered a left groin strain that led to being placed on the 10-day injured list.
He joined Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill, both of whom have been sidelined since Opening Day. Kershaw is on the mend and after a second rehab start, is expected to be activated Sunday or Monday. Hill is projected to be one to weeks behind him.
While Ryu voiced optimism his groin injury is not as severe as last season’s, when he missed three months, the Dodgers still deemed it necessary to replace him on the active roster with JT Chargois.
In doing so, it’s created a need for Saturday’s game with the Milwaukee Brewers. Manager Dave Roberts ruled out the Dodgers going with a bullpen game and said the team is evaluating their options, via SportsNet LA:
“We have to make a decision on a starter for Saturday. … I don’t see a bullpen game. Just understanding where we’re at right now and how it might play out, to put that stress on the ‘pen, I just don’t see that happening. … [Calling up a spot starter] is a possibility. All things are possible. We’re going to continue to talk about that.”
If the Dodgers are to call on a spot starter, the focus naturally goes to the organization’s top pitching prospects. Though, Dustin May is scheduled to pitch Wednesday for Double-A Tulsa, and Dennis Santana is up with the Dodgers as a long reliever. Caleb Ferguson is also a member of the bullpen.
Thus, Tony Gonsolin could be a candidate to make his MLB debut at Dodger Stadium. He last pitched for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, going four innings. Gonsolin would need to be added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster, which currently has 38 players on it.
The Dodgers could also opt to preserve Ferguson or Santana throughout the week and allow them to start.
