The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled right-handed pitcher Landon Knack to start Wednesday’s series finale against the Washington Nationals. However, the 27-year-old rookie endured a difficult outing, surrendering five runs on four hits and four walks in just 2 1/3 innings.
Despite Knack’s struggles, Los Angeles managed to secure a 6-5 victory, avoiding a series sweep. Following the game, manager Dave Roberts announced that Knack would remain in the rotation for at least one more turn, slated to start during their upcoming series against the Colorado Rockies next week, as reported by Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
Landon Knack’s Performance and Status In His Los Angeles Dodgers Debut
Landon Knack spent a significant portion of the previous season moving between the Dodgers’ major league roster and Triple-A Oklahoma City. During his rookie campaign, he posted a respectable 3.65 ERA across 69 innings. While demonstrating a solid strikeout rate of 24.1% and a commendable walk rate of 6.3%, Knack did allow home runs at a higher rate of 1.83 per nine innings. He had previously made a two-inning relief appearance during the opening Tokyo Series, and this game against the Nationals marked his first start of the 2025 season.
His opportunity arose due to Blake Snell landing on the injured list with shoulder inflammation over the weekend. Encouragingly, tests revealed no structural damage, and Roberts indicated that the two-time Cy Young Award winner is expected to resume throwing at the beginning of next week, according to Jack Harris of The Los Angeles Times. The injury did not necessitate any injections, suggesting a relatively minor issue, at least in the context of shoulder ailments. Knack’s tenure in the rotation will likely be temporary, lasting only for the duration of Snell’s absence.
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Tony Gonsolin’s Status In Triple-A
Right-hander Tony Gonsolin, who had been in contention for the final rotation spot during Spring Training, was sidelined with a back strain sustained while lifting weights. He began the season on the injured list but has since made two rehab appearances without any setbacks. In his most recent start for Triple-A Oklahoma City, Gonsolin threw an efficient 46 pitches over 3 1/3 dominant innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out seven. He is expected to make at least one more Triple-A start before being activated to the Dodgers’ roster within the next few weeks.
Freddie Freeman’s Return Date Set
In more positive injury news for the Dodgers, star first baseman Freddie Freeman is apparently on track to return from his injured list stint without needing a rehab assignment. Roberts stated that he anticipates Freeman will be reinstated before Friday’s series opener against the Chicago Cubs, as reported by Sonja Chen of MLB.com.
This will amount to a minimal 10-day IL stay for Freeman, following a right ankle sprain. Utility player Enrique Hernández has filled in at first base in Freeman’s absence, though his offensive production has been limited, with a .103/.163/.410 batting line over 43 plate appearances, his only four hits being home runs.