Roberts: Tony Gonsolin “In The Mix” for the Dodgers’ NLCS squad

As the Dodgers plan their NLCS roster ahead of tomorrow's first game of the series, manager Dave Roberts spoke to reporters about the club's plans for the upcoming best-of-seven set. Among the options the club is considering for the squad, according to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya, is the right-hander Tony Gonsolin.

Gonsolin, who to this point has spent the entire 2024 season rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery, began a rehab assignment in September and built up to 50 pitches in those games, but was suspended two weeks ago Roberts more or less ruled out for postseason He pointed out that “something really unforeseen” would have to happen for Gonsolin to make the playoffs. Apparently, the numerous injuries to the club's pitching staff that have occurred since then represent a sufficiently unforeseen circumstance that the Dodgers are once again considering the right-hander for a role in the postseason rotation.

Roberts (as relayed by Ardaya) ruled out both Joe Kelly And Brusdar Graterol for the NLCS tonight when the club's options were discussed, and right-handed hitter Michael Grove is ineligible to return before the World Series after being left from the club's NLDS roster due to injury. ESPN's Alden Gonzalez was among those who relayed that Roberts was adding the left-handed hitter Alex Vesia to the growing list of hurlers who are not expected to be available for the NLCS as he struggles with an intercostal injury, which, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, led Roberts to express optimism that Vesia may be available for the World Series can return if the club advances.

Michael Kopech, Blake Treinen, Evan Phillips, Ryan Brasier, Anthony Banda, Daniel Hudson, Ben Casparius, Edgardo HenriquezAnd Landon Knack All were on the club's NLDS roster and were available again for the club's upcoming series against the Mets, with each of them Jack Flaherty, Walker BuhlerAnd Yoshinobu Yamamoto They are expected to resume their roles in the club's rotation, leaving just one spot left to be filled by either Gonsolin or Brent Honeywell Jr. However, it's entirely possible that Henriquez or Casparius could also be left off the roster to allow for the addition of both arms.

That could be a smart decision for the club at this point, as Roberts noted (as relayed by Jack Harris of the LA Times) that Yamamoto will not be removed from his current schedule with five days off between starts. These required days off between starts would allow Yamamoto to start only one game in this series, meaning the club would have to turn to its backup players to handle up to two games in this series, assuming Flaherty and Buehler each have two starts. So adding multi-inning arms like Gonsolin and Honeywell could give the club some much-needed length out of the bullpen that they can currently only get from Knack.

In 37 2/3 innings spread across 20 appearances with the Dodgers and Pirates this year, Honeywell posted an excellent 2.63 ERA, albeit with poor peripherals, including a 12.1% strikeout rate and a FIP of 4.28. Gonsolin, meanwhile, has not played in the majors since midway through the 2023 season, but has a career 3.19 ERA and 3.99 FIP in 79 appearances (including 71 starts) in the majors since his debut in 2019. The right-hander's postseason resume is lackluster, however, as he has posted a 9.20 ERA in 14 2/3 frames in the playoffs over his career.