A Devastating Blow for Gavin Stone's Opening Day Hopes! Just when it seemed like Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone was on the fast track back after a year and a half hiatus due to right shoulder surgery, a setback has occurred. After an impressive Cactus League debut where he showed flashes of his former brilliance, Stone experienced soreness in that very same shoulder following a bullpen session. This news, delivered by manager Dave Roberts, has effectively put a halt to any immediate plans for him to be part of the opening day roster. It's a tough pill to swallow, especially after he felt so good in his initial return.
Stone himself admitted to being caught off guard. "I didn't realize how bad things were," he confessed. "Honestly, Arizona was my last outing and I felt pretty good. It would get tired in between innings but it felt good. I never really considered that it would be as bad as it was. When I got the MRI back, it was kind of a shock." Thankfully, the renowned Dr. Neal ElAttrache was able to perform extensive repairs, addressing issues with the labrum, rotator cuff, and shoulder capsule. While this is undoubtedly a setback, it's worth noting that expecting a full return to opening day readiness might not align with the Dodgers' recent approach to pitcher rehabilitation.
But here's where it gets controversial... Is it fair to expect pitchers to be fully ready for opening day after such significant procedures? Let's look at some examples. Walker Buehler, who underwent his second Tommy John surgery in August 2022, didn't make his return to the Dodgers until May 6, 2024. That's a nearly two-year recovery period! Similarly, Tony Gonsolin had Tommy John surgery in September 2023 and is slated for a return on April 30, 2025, with his progress even being hampered by a back injury during spring training. These timelines suggest that a more gradual reintegration is the norm.
River Ryan is currently navigating a similar path. Following his Tommy John surgery in September 2024, which sidelined him for the entire 2025 season, he recently pitched a scoreless inning. His layoff between games was even longer than Stone's. Manager Roberts indicated that Ryan wouldn't be rushed back, noting, "I thought he was overthrowing. I haven’t seen that all spring. It’s probably just getting into live competition. I thought he was a little too bullish on the fastball, but he was getting behind in the first inning." This reinforces the idea of a patient approach.
Other pitchers are also in various stages of preparation. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was building up to three innings before heading to the World Baseball Classic. Tyler Glasnow made his Cactus League debut, pitching into the third inning, and is expected to pitch again soon. Shohei Ohtani has been throwing simulated innings and will continue his throwing program to build up, even though he won't participate in the WBC. Roki Sasaki is also working on new pitches and has his second start scheduled. Emmet Sheehan, who was a strong candidate for a rotation spot, has been delayed by the flu but still has time to ramp up if he pitches this week. Justin Wrobleski is looking good, having been stretched out to two innings, and Landon Knack is another option on the 40-man roster, with veteran Cole Irvin also in the mix after pitching in the KBO last year.
So, while Gavin Stone's shoulder setback is disappointing, it might be more of a reflection of the careful recovery process for pitchers rather than a unique issue. What are your thoughts? Do you think the Dodgers are being too cautious, or is this the right approach for long-term success? Let us know in the comments below!
