The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a roster decision involving the fifth starter.
The Dodgers enter the 2025 Major League Baseball season with a plethora of starters. Los Angeles has Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasgow, Roki Sasaki, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, Clayton Kershaw, Gavin Stone and Shohei Ohtani as potential starters, however, Kershaw, Stone and Ohtani are all dealing with injuries.
In spring training, the Dodgers had a competition for the fifth starter. But manager Dave Roberts announced on Dodgers Territory that May beat out Gonsolin for the job after the 2022 All-Star suffered an injury while lifting weights.
“As far as the fifth starter, I think it’s Dustin because he’s obviously pitched well, getting back,” Roberts said. “Tony with the little hiccup, just not being able to build up. I think Dustin makes a lot of sense.”
It’s unclear if Gonsolin will be ready for Opening Day due to the injury. But, if he is ready, the former All-Star will be pitching out of the bullpen.
Gonsolin avoided arbitration for 2025 with a one-year $5.4 million deal. He is under control for this season and 2026 before becoming a free agent in 2027. The right-hander missed all of 2024 after undergoing Tommy John Surgery in August 2023. Gonsolin has gone 34-11 with a 3.19 ERA in 79 career appearances.
As for May, he hasn’t pitched in the MLB since May 2023. He dealt with elbow pain and eventually had season-ending surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his right elbow, and Tommy John revision surgery. The right-hander tried to return in 2024 but he underwent surgery in July to repair a torn esophagus which ended his hopes of getting back to the majors.
The Dodgers will open their 2025 season on March 18 in Tokyo, Japan in a two-game series against the Chicago Cubs. Los Angeles will have its home opener on March 27 against the Detroit Tigers.
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