March 3: Roberts said of the Dodgers’ win this morning that the team “dodged a bullet” with regard to Stone (see link: Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic). Imaging showed inflammation in Stone’s surgically repaired shoulder, but no structural damage. He’ll be banned from throwing for a few weeks, but at this point it doesn’t look like he’ll be out for months.
March 2nd: Dodgers right-handed pitcher Gavin Stone Manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including the California Post’s Jack Harris and MLB.com’s Sonya Chen): Stone is unlikely to be ready for the start of the season.
That’s concerning for a pitcher who missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing shoulder surgery. This was a major surgery to repair his labrum, joint capsule and rotator cuff. Stone underwent surgery in October 2024 and was immediately ruled out of next season.
The 27-year-old entered camp with no restrictions and pitched a perfect inning with two strikeouts in his spring training debut last week. Stone threw bullpen sessions between appearances and came out of that work with a shoulder injury. There are no signs of structural problems. Stone will be unable to throw for the time being, an understandable precaution given his health history.
Stone was having a good 24 season before his injury. He posted a 3.53 ERA in 140 1/3 innings. His 20% strikeout rate was below average, but his walks and hard contact were limited. He looked at the mid-rotation arm section.
The Dodgers plan to start the season with a six-man rotation. Stone has a good chance to earn a spot if he finishes camp healthy. Blake Snell After battling postseason arm fatigue, he’s trending toward making his own season-opening injury list.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Otani and Sasaki Loki We need to secure a top four spot. Ohtani has not pitched in the World Baseball Classic and his pitch count could be tight in his first few starts. Emmett Sheehan Although illness has delayed our participation in camp, we should have plenty of time to prepare for opening day. He’ll probably win the rotation too.
This leaves one rotation point available. Ryan River He missed all of his 2025 Tommy John surgery rehabilitation, but is back healthy this spring. left handed Justin Wrobleski You can start or work out in the bullpen. Landon Knack He remains a depth starter on the 40-man roster. He has hit it big through his first two spring training outings. veteran left-hander Cole Irvine I am at camp as an unlisted invitee.
right handed Kyle Hurt It doesn’t seem to be in the rotation mix. Roberts told reporters the Dodgers view the 27-year-old as a reliever who can pitch multiple innings. Hurt did not play in MLB last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in July 2024. He looked sharp early in camp, striking out six of 11 batters in his first three appearances. Hurt pitched three innings of one-run ball to earn a spot in the bullpen on Opening Day.
