Friday will mark one month since Tony Gonsolin’s last start. He was placed on the IL with a right forearm strain. It doesn’t sound like he’s close to returning, but a return by the end of the season is still a possibility.
While speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Dave Roberts said that Gonsolin is going to throw a live up-and-down bullpen session on Thursday. He called it a “big step”, saying that facing hitters is an important step to check off.
“If he passes that test, it’ll probably be another bullpen and then a rehab assignment early next week.” Roberts said.
It’s encouraging hearing that Gonsolin is progressing well, but time is winding down. The regular season ends on October 5, which is now less than two weeks away. If Gonsolin isn’t able to get built back up by the time the postseason begins, Roberts said a bullpen role could be a possibility.
“Once we get to that point, we’ll discuss that role,” Roberts said. “He’s open to whatever.”
Blake Treinen update
Originally, the plan was for both Brusdar Graterol and Blake Treinen to be activated on Thursday. Now, it looks like it will be just Graterol.
On Wednesday, Treinen played catch at Dodger Stadium. The team is going to wait to see how he comes out of it. Roberts said there’s not too much concern with Treinen. He added that they’ll have plenty of runway for him once he returns.
“Where we’re at, we feel good about.” Roberts said.
Although he sounded optimistic that Treinen would return by October, Roberts then added some caution, saying it’s not a guarantee Treinen is back.
“There’s still an ‘IF’,” Roberts said. “He’s just not bouncing back the way any of us would have hoped. That’s my hesitancy.”
Certainly not ideal news, but the Dodgers still have time with Treinen. Like I mentioned earlier with Gonsolin, the season ends in two weeks. Once the season concludes, the Dodgers will have the luxury of having some time off, as the Wild Card series will kick off. The NLDS isn’t scheduled to begin until Tuesday, October 11, so he has nearly three weeks to try and bounce back.
