Dodgers: Worrying about Tony Gonsolin Getting Gassed by the Postseason
Tony Gonsolin has been a breakout star for the Dodgers in 2022. But we’re only in June and he’s already surpassed a career-high in innings pitched. He’s been the ace, the stopper, and honestly the best starter for the Dodgers so far and that presents an issue for Dave Roberts and the front office…
How far can you take him here in the dog days of summer?
Ahead of his start today in Atlanta, the Cat Man is sitting at 68.1 innings over 13 starts. His previous career-high in innings (as a big leaguer) came last year when he tossed 55.2 IP. At his current pace, Tony is set to surpass 150 innings easily in 2022 and really could even challenge the 200 IP mark.
History has shown us that that sizeable jump in innings is not great for pitchers. In fact, more often than not it’s proven detrimental. The recent history lesson uses Walker Buehler as an example. Buehler threw only 36.2 innings during the shortened 60 game regular season in 2020. He then jumped to 207.2 in 2021 and is now on the shelf with a forearm injury.
Related: Internal and Blockbuster Trade Options to Fill in for Walker Buehler
So, again, it’s not ideal that Gonsolin has thrown so many innings and is set up to throw a whole lot more. But the tougher part is, the Dodgers have no other options.
LA’s pitching depth has been challenged for the second straight year thanks to injuries and ineffectiveness on the parts of some. And if the front office attempts to find a way to bake in some rest for Tony, then the rotation gets stretched even thinner.
With that in mind, it’s hit a point where the writing is on the wall that Andrew Friedman and company will have no choice but to be on the market for pitching ahead of the trade deadline. And with Dan Hudson’s knee injury sidelining him for the rest of the season, the laundry list keeps on growing for LA.
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