The Los Angeles Dodgers should get Blake Snell back in the rotation next week, and Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani soon after.
However, there is another starting pitcher making his way back, and many fans may have forgotten about him. Gavin Stone had shoulder surgery in October 2024 and has not pitched in a regular-season game since Aug. 31 of that year. He has suffered some setbacks in his recovery, but made his first in-game appearance for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.
Stone threw 1 1/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits. He did not walk anyone and struck out three batters. The run he was charged with scored after he left the game. He threw 33 pitches, 22 of which were for strikes. It is not the flashiest line, but it is significant considering he had not pitched in a game in nearly two years. He appeared in one spring training game this year, but was shut down afterward.
Stone led the Dodgers in starts and innings pitched in 2024 when they went on to win the World Series. He had a 3.53 ERA that season and struck out 116 batters. However, when he is ready to return, he will likely not be in the rotation, as the Dodgers are full there.
Between Snell, Glasnow, Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, Justin Wrobleski, Eric Lauer and Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers already have too many starting pitchers. Stone could end up coming back to help the bullpen, that hasd struggled greatly. The Dodgers bullpen has a 4.06 ERA this year, and has looked bad in the second half.
Stone has a long way to go before returning to the big leagues, but his recovery is worth keeping an eye on as the Dodgers prepare for October.