The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Wednesday that right-handed pitcher Tony Gonsolin has cleared waivers and opted for free agency after being designated for assignment last week. Gonsolin, who underwent a flexor repair and internal brace procedure on his right ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in August, faces a recovery timeline of eight to ten months.
At 31 years old, Gonsolin’s early career with the Dodgers showed promise as he made a significant impact from 2019 to 2022, pitching a total of 272 2/3 innings with a remarkable 2.51 ERA. He was effective during this period, striking out nearly 25% of batters faced while maintaining an 8.5% walk rate. However, his workload was hampered by multiple injuries, including shoulder inflammation, ankle sprains, and forearm issues, as well as the shortened 2020 season.
The 2023 season brought more challenges, with recurring elbow problems limiting Gonsolin to just 103 innings and a 4.98 ERA. Ultimately, he required Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for all of 2024. After battling a back injury early in 2025, he made a return to the mound in late April, starting seven games and logging 36 innings. Unfortunately, elbow discomfort led to another injury list stint in early July, and by mid-August, he underwent another surgery.
This year’s statistics reflected a mixed performance. Gonsolin’s fastball averaged 93.5 mph, a noticeable drop from his 95.1 mph peak in 2020, yet still higher than in his previous two seasons. He recorded a solid 12.2% swinging-strike rate and a strikeout rate of 24.2%, both above the league average. However, command issues plagued his return, resulting in an 11.5% walk rate and 2.25 home runs allowed per nine innings.
As Gonsolin undergoes further rehabilitation extending into the upcoming months, he is likely to be available on a short-term deal. Teams looking to invest may view him as a buy-low opportunity for a one-year contract, with past instances showing that pitchers in similar situations can sometimes command modest two-year deals. While two years might be optimistic given Gonsolin’s recent injury concerns and limited innings pitched, he certainly holds potential value as a midseason reinforcement or even as a trade asset for teams in transition.
Gonsolin’s journey demonstrates resilience and the challenges many athletes face in recovering from injuries, and his potential ability to bounce back could bring excitement to a team willing to take a chance on his talent and determination.