Dodgers Fifth Rotation Spot Seems to Be Set
The Los Angeles Dodgers 2024 season begins in less than four days. The Boys in Blue will commence their most important and biggest season in all of their existence. This team has the weight of the world on its shoulders; however, it'll look to take it one game at a time.
It's all the Dodgers can do as the 2024 season is approaching. For the most part, the Opening Day roster is set. We only need to wait for the Dodgers and manager Dave Roberts to make it official. The biggest question regarding the roster is, 'Who will be the fifth starter in the rotation?'
With right-handed pitcher Michael Grove starting in Saturday's exhibition game against the Kiwoom Heroes, all signs point to their young top prospect Gavin Stone as the fifth starter in the rotation.
OC Register's Bill Plunkett all but confirmed in his latest column.
"That leaves Gavin Stone to assume the fifth starter spot until Walker Buehler is ready to make his return from Tommy John surgery (most likely in May). Stone has pitched well this spring, allowing just one run on five hits and walk while striking out nine in 9⅔ innings."
Stone deserves to be the fifth guy in the rotation. Injuries have played a big part in the 25-year-old getting promoted; nonetheless, he's played spectacularly this spring.
In nine innings of work, Stone collected a 9:1 K: BB ratio, 0.93 ERA, nine strikeouts, and a 0.62 WHIP in four games and three starts.
He didn't shine as we expected him to in 2023; however, with a bit more experience under his belt, 2024 should be more kind to the right-handed pitcher.
