The Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2025 season has been impacted by a significant number of pitching injuries, with 11 pitchers starting the year on the injured list, including right-handed starter Tony Gonsolin. Gonsolin’s setback occurred during a weightlifting session, resulting in a back injury.
“I was squatting. I wasn’t even going heavy,” Gonsolin explained. “I think it was probably slightly out of place before, and then under load, it just kind of shifted a little bit. It wasn’t too painful, but it was altering my throw, and we wanted to take a break, let it actually heal to keep the throw good.”
Los Angeles Dodgers ‘ Tony Gonsolin’s Lifting Injury Caused Throwing Alteration
This injury is particularly frustrating for Gonsolin, who missed the entire 2024 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Prior to the procedure, he had maintained an ERA of 3.23 or lower in four of his last five seasons with the Dodgers, making his return a crucial component of the team’s pitching plans.
“I was in a really good spot,” Gonsolin said. “I felt like my body was feeling great. Throw felt really good. It felt really clean. Executing pitches. And then to have something like that, non-baseball-related, really sucked, honestly.” He added, “I don’t really have any other words for it. But again, it’s a minor setback, and I’ll try to take this time to build back up and get into an even better position.”
Despite the setback, Gonsolin informed Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA that he only missed two days of throwing. Furthermore, progress is being made on the recovery of several other Dodgers pitchers. Gonsolin, along with right-handed reliever Evan Phillips, faced live batters on Friday, and left-hander Clayton Kershaw followed suit on Saturday.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has confirmed that Gonsolin will be reintegrated into the starting rotation upon his return.
“There’s been a lot of talk about the six-man rotation and I think having that opportunity to come in and just fill in as the sixth man… it’s just a cool feeling,” Gonsolin said. “Knowing that takes away a little bit of the pressure of trying to overly perform as I build up.” While a specific return date has not been set, Gonsolin is expected to regain his health in the near future.