Dodgers' young pitcher Gavin Stone's promising return from shoulder surgery takes a hit. After a stellar one-inning performance in his first Cactus League start last week, Stone's shoulder soreness has put a halt to his throwing. This setback raises questions about his recovery timeline, especially with the Dodgers' recent history of handling similar injuries.
Stone, who underwent right shoulder surgery over a year ago, admitted he didn't realize the severity of his condition. Despite feeling good during his outing in Arizona, the MRI results shocked him. Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed a significant repair, fixing the labrum, rotator cuff, and shoulder capsule.
But is this a major setback? The Dodgers have been cautious with their pitchers' recovery from major surgeries. Walker Buehler, after his second Tommy John surgery in 2022, returned to the Dodgers in May 2024, almost two years later. Tony Gonsolin, following his Tommy John surgery in 2023, had a similar extended recovery period.
And this is where it gets intriguing. River Ryan, in a similar situation after Tommy John surgery, is being handled with caution. Manager Dave Roberts noted Ryan's over-exertion, suggesting a careful approach to his return. Other pitchers like Yoshinbobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow are gradually increasing their workload, while Shohei Ohtani continues his build-up away from the WBC.
The Dodgers seem to be taking a measured approach, which could be a point of contention for fans eager to see their young stars back in action. But with the team's history of successful rehab plans, is this the right strategy? And will Stone's setback impact the team's rotation plans for the opening day? Only time will tell, but the Dodgers' patience might just be the key to long-term success.
