Dodgers News: Rookie RHP Gavin Stone Won’t Be Rejoining Team Next Week
Dodgers rookie RHP Gavin Stone made his MLB debut earlier this week. Stone faced a tough Phillies lineup, and battled over four innings. He ended up allowing eight hits, four earned runs (five runs) and two walks while striking out one, and just didn't have his best stuff going for him.
To be fair, it was the MLB debut for the 24-year-old, and he still has a bright future ahead of him. But he faced a tough Phillies lineup in his first game, and they got the best of him.
On Friday, Stone was sent back down to Triple-A ahead of the Dodgers' three-game series against the Padres. However, there was a chance that he returned to the big leagues next week for the series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Ahead of Friday's game, though, Roberts shut that idea down (per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register).
"There was some thought (of keeping Stone in the rotation for another turn)," Roberts said. "I think with the six-man (rotation), with the off day (next Thursday) there’s maybe a potential cost of getting guys out of their rhythm."
So, instead of bringing Stone back up and going to six-man rotation, the Dodgers are going to go with their normal five this next week. Like Roberts said, with the day off on Thursday, you don't want to risk getting guys too out of their rhythm.
So, Dustin May is going to start on Saturday, Julio Urias on Sunday, Tony Gonsolin on Monday, Noah Syndergaard on Tuesday and then back to Clayton Kershaw on Wednesday before the day off.
Syndergaard will be making his "return" to the Dodgers rotation on Tuesday. His last start was skipped, as he was struggling mightily, and the Dodgers wanted to work through some mechanical issues with him.
Clearly, they feel like he's done enough, and are excited to get him back out there. Roberts spoke about the reason behind getting Syndergaard right back into the mix.
"My expectation is that he’s going to have a lot of leash," Roberts said of Syndergaard. "I think he’s earned it. It’s not always linear how players perform. But he has really given himself to us as far as being open to getting better. So for me, it’s day to day but I’m expecting him to pitch well and pitch well for the rest of the season."
Syndergaard will get his next chance on Tuesday against the Brewers. We'll see how he responds, and what it means for Gavin Stone.
