Dodgers News: Will Smith Optioned to AAA for Tony Gonsolin Debut
To make room on the active roster for the debut of Tony Gonsolin, the Dodgers optioned catcher Will Smith to triple-A Oklahoma City.
Will Smith optioned.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) June 26, 2019
On the option of Smith, manager Dave Roberts admitted the decision was “a tough one,” but the move is to get him more playing time.
Moreover, to make room on the 40-man roster, pitcher Tony Cingrani was transferred to the 60-day IL. Cingrani has missed the entire season with shoulder issues, and eventually surgery.
While the option of Will Smith wasn’t the anticipated move, the debut of Tony Gonsolin is very much anticipated. In his debut, Gonsolin will be wearing uniform number 46.
Smith went 1-5 in his return engagement with the Dodgers. That lone hit was hit Sunday afternoon historic walk-off home run against Colorado.
As for Gonsolin, Fangraphs brings some notes on his arsenal.
Called Up: Tony Gonsolin https://t.co/yOccrIL0PV
— FanGraphs Baseball (@fangraphs) June 25, 2019
His newfound split-change was a pitch with which he began to grow more and more comfortable, and hitters reacted aptly by routinely swinging through it.
Gonsolin is the number 2 pitching prospect in the Dodgers organization, and is very emotional about his debut. In a good way.
WTF Austin Barnes stinks at the plate. Kiki Hernandez stinks at the plate. I get it Smith will get playing time in the minors but by the trade dead line if we keep both Mendoza line hitters will kill us in the playoffs…..
This team is so stupid sometimes I swear. Drain the swamp and be free of this dilemma once and for all. Barnes should be gone and problem solved. No more toying with Will Smith
And of course Dodgers go back to only a 3 man bench meaning only 2 guys plus the back up catcher…brilliant yet honestly STUPID STUPID STUPID!!!!!!. watch what this does in a tight game or extra innings, and I wonder if they are going to play with just this 3 man bench in Denver.
Management is stupid as usual.
Have a class catcher..better than any catcher on team…get rid of Barnes!!!!
After watching yesterday’s game, my only thought was to send Gonsolin back down for a further tuneing up, and bringing back Will Smith. Moreover, platoonitis is back with us, more severe than ever!!!! Go Blue!!
LOL platoonitis…good one LOU! I hadn’t thought of that one, but if I were to bet that everyone here would not be thrilled to see Smith optioned out I would have made a lot of $$$.