CHICAGO-- Tony Gonsolin joined the Dodgers on Sunday early morning in Chicago and Dave Roberts acknowledged he was "here for a purpose."
That function will be to begin Wednesday in Pittsburgh, taking over the spot in the rotation left vacant when right-hander Michael Grove went on the hurt list with a strained groin muscle suffered throughout his start Thursday versus the Chicago Cubs.
Gonsolin made just one start in the Cactus League this spring before spraining his left ankle throughout a fielding drill. He opened the season on the hurt list with a forecasted return in late April.
The right-hander threw to hitters at Camelback Ranch multiple times prior to signing up with Triple-A Oklahoma City on a rehab project this week. He pitched into the 4th inning for OKC on Thursday night, allowing one hit (a two-run crowning achievement) while striking out 7 of the 12 batters he dealt with.
The expectation was for Gonsolin to make at least another rehabilitation start to continue developing his pitch count. However Grove's injury altered that strategy.
" He was going to come back anyway," Roberts said. He's the finest option right now."
The other alternatives were limited. Roberts said previously that top prospect Gavin Stone would be "in the conversation." The Dodgers would choose Stone continuing improving his skills in Triple-A. He had his finest start of the season so far Saturday, pitching 4 2/3 scoreless innings, starting out seven and enabling simply two hits.
SMITH STATUS
Catcher Will Smith stated he is "feeling much better" and slowly increasing his activity level once again. But for a few days, he was doing "not much."
" Just need to let the brain heal," he said. "There really is no other way to know (for how long it will take to recover from a concussion). Sometimes it's two days. Sometimes it's two weeks."
It has actually been nearly 2 weeks considering that Smith took multiple foul tips to the mask during a video game in
San Francisco. Two days later, he started experiencing concussion symptoms-- mainly headaches, Smith stated.
Restless to get back in action, Smith said he most likely attempted to resume activities too quickly and the headaches returned, requiring him to "wait it out a couple of days." He resumed activities Saturday and said he has actually been symptom-free over the previous 2 days.
Smith is not expected to come off the IL up until next weekend at the earliest now. He might go on a rehab project initially to see if symptoms return with game action.
WHO'S ON SHORT
Mookie Betts made his first career start at shortstop Sunday. The relocation enabled Roberts to begin three left-handed players in the outfield (Jason Heyward, James Outman and David Peralta) against Cubs right-hander Marcus Stroman.
Roberts would not say how frequently Betts may continue relocating to shortstop however did say it would be a consideration during the three-game series in
Pittsburgh when the Pirates are expected to begin three right-handed pitchers.
Hurt shortstop Miguel Rojas has increased his workouts, taking batting practice on the field Sunday and taking ground balls at shortstop. Rojas is on the IL with a hamstring injury however could be all set to return when he is qualified to be activated next weekend.
" He's doing much better," Roberts said. "He currently ran. He's going to strike, take some ground balls today.
" He's pretty encouraged about being prepared when needed."
UP NEXT
The Dodgers are off Monday.
Dodgers (RHP Noah Syndergaard, 0-3, 4.91 ERA) at Pirates (RHP Johan Oviedo, 2-1, 2.22 ERA), 3:35 p.m. Tuesday, SportsNet LA, 570 AM
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