Gavin Stone's Shoulder Woes: A Setback for the Dodgers' Right-Hander
A promising young pitcher's journey is threatened by a persistent shoulder issue, raising concerns for his future and the Dodgers' rotation plans.
In a worrying development, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has revealed that right-hander Gavin Stone is dealing with shoulder discomfort. This news is particularly concerning given Stone's recent history with the same shoulder, which kept him out of the entire 2025 season after undergoing a major surgery. The operation, which repaired his labrum, capsule, and rotator cuff, was a significant setback at the time, and now it seems the recovery process is proving challenging.
Stone, just 27 years old, had entered camp with high hopes and no restrictions. He impressed in his Spring Training debut, striking out two in a perfect inning. However, a subsequent bullpen session revealed a flare-up in his shoulder, prompting the team to shut him down from throwing for the time being. While there's no structural damage indicated, the precaution is understandable given his health history.
Before his injury, Stone was having a solid 2024 season. He boasted a 3.53 earned run average across 140 1/3 innings, with a strikeout rate just below average but an impressive ability to limit walks and hard contact. He was on track to be a reliable mid-rotation starter.
The Dodgers had planned to start the season with a six-man rotation, and Stone was a strong contender for one of those spots. However, with Blake Snell also facing an injured list stint due to arm fatigue, the competition for the remaining spots has intensified.
The top four spots in the rotation are expected to be occupied by Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, and Roki Sasaki. Ohtani's participation in the World Baseball Classic and his potential pitch count restrictions early in the season could create an opportunity for others. Emmet Sheehan, despite a recent illness, should be ready for Opening Day and is also a strong candidate.
This leaves one rotation spot up for grabs, and several pitchers are vying for it. River Ryan, who missed all of 2025 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, is back to full health this spring. Justin Wrobleski, a lefty, could start or work out of the bullpen. Landon Knack, a depth starter on the 40-man roster, has struggled in his first two Spring Training outings. Cole Irvin, a veteran southpaw, is in camp as a non-roster invitee.
Kyle Hurt, another right-hander, doesn't appear to be in the rotation mix. Roberts has stated that the Dodgers view Hurt as a reliever capable of working multiple innings. Hurt, who missed the entire 2025 season after Tommy John surgery, has looked sharp in camp so far, striking out six batters in his first three appearances. He's aiming to secure a bullpen spot for Opening Day.
So, while Stone's shoulder discomfort is a concern, it also opens up opportunities for other pitchers to step up and secure their spots in the Dodgers' rotation. Who will rise to the challenge? And what does this mean for Stone's future? These are questions that will be answered as Spring Training progresses and the Dodgers finalize their plans for the upcoming season.
And this is the part most people miss: shoulder injuries in pitchers are notoriously tricky to manage. What do you think the Dodgers should do to ensure Stone's long-term health while also maintaining a competitive rotation? Share your thoughts in the comments!
