Dodgers’ Gavin Stone Struggles in MLB Spring Training

Los Angeles Dodgers right‑hander Gavin Stone reported soreness in his surgically repaired right shoulder during Tuesday’s MLB Spring Training session, according to manager Dave Roberts and CBS Sports. The setback means Stone is unlikely to pitch in the majors this season, a blow to a rotation that has already faced significant volatility due to recurring health issues among its top-tier starters.

Roberts told reporters Stone resumed throwing in early April at the team’s Arizona complex, but the hurler’s progress stalled when the shoulder “sort of shows itself again” as he advances his program. This phrasing suggests a recurrence of inflammation or a mechanical failure in the joint’s stabilization, a common hurdle for pitchers returning from labrum or rotator cuff procedures. With the rotation already thin and the pressure of a World Series window looming, the Dodgers will have to lean on other arms for Opening Day, potentially altering their tactical approach to early-season game management.

What’s the latest on Stone’s shoulder?

Stone’s throwing program hit a significant snag when soreness returned, prompting Roberts to admit uncertainty about his exact status in the rehab timeline. The manager emphasized that Stone is “not sure exactly where he’s at in this progression,” and he will not be a major‑league option anytime soon. This admission came during a routine spring‑training update at the Dodgers’ Arizona facility, signaling that the recovery process is not linear.

From a physiological perspective, shoulder rehabilitation in professional baseball is a precarious balance between strength building and elasticity. For a power pitcher like Stone, the transition from “flat ground” tossing to the slope of a mound introduces lateral forces that put immense strain on the glenohumeral joint. The fact that the soreness returned just as he was ramping up intensity suggests that the joint is not yet absorbing the torque required for MLB-level velocity. The Dodgers’ medical staff, known for their conservative and data-driven approach, are now forced to reset the clock to prevent a catastrophic re-injury that could jeopardize Stone’s long-term career.

How did the injury develop during MLB Spring Training?

After completing shoulder surgery last season, Stone began light tossing in February and moved to full‑effort throwing in early April. The early‑season work appeared smooth until the mid‑April session, when the repaired joint reacted to increased velocity, forcing the team to pull back his workload. Roberts’ comments suggest the issue is mechanical rather than a new injury, but the lingering discomfort limits his readiness.

Historically, shoulder injuries are far more complex than elbow issues (like UCL tears). While Tommy John surgery has a high success rate and a predictable timeline, shoulder repairs often involve a more volatile recovery period. The Dodgers have seen this before with various arms in their system, where the “feel” of the shoulder determines the timeline more than the calendar. The setback in mid-April indicates that while the surgical site may be healed, the surrounding musculature—specifically the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers—may not be providing the necessary support to handle maximum effort throws.

Key Developments and Statistical Analysis

• Timeline Shift: Stone’s rehab program was designed to peak by mid‑May, but the shoulder flare‑up pushed his target back to late June, effectively removing him from the first two months of the campaign.
• Roster Impact: Roberts confirmed Stone will not be on the major‑league roster for Opening Day, opening a spot for a left‑handed reliever. This move allows the Dodgers to bolster their bullpen’s versatility, providing a tactical advantage against left-handed heavy lineups in the National League West.
• Administrative Status: The Dodgers placed Stone on the 60‑day injured list in August 2025, a move that still affects his service‑time calculations. This placement is a strategic move to preserve roster flexibility while ensuring Stone receives the necessary medical attention without burning through active roster spots.
• Performance Baseline: Stone’s last major‑league appearance was in September 2024, where he posted a 4.20 ERA over 12 starts before surgery. While the ERA was modest, his underlying metrics showed flashes of brilliance, including a high strikeout rate that the team hopes to reclaim.
• The Data Dive: DodgersBeat.com reported the team is monitoring Stone’s spin rate closely, hoping the numbers will rebound once shoulder inflammation subsides. Spin rate is a primary indicator of “stuff”; a drop in spin usually correlates with a lack of stability in the shoulder joint during the release phase.
• Velocity Decline: His fastball velocity dipped to 90.5 mph in the latest spring‑training session, down from a pre‑injury 92 mph baseline. While a 1.5 mph drop seems marginal to a casual observer, in the context of MLB pitching, it is the difference between a pitch that blows past a hitter and one that gets hammered into the gap.

Implications for the Dodgers’ Rotation

The immediate impact is a reshuffled rotation that could elevate emerging arms like rookie right‑hander Bryson Stott to a larger role. Stott, who has shown poise in the minors, may find himself thrust into a high-leverage role sooner than anticipated. The Dodgers’ rotation has traditionally been a mix of high-priced veterans and homegrown talent, but the loss of Stone creates a void in the middle of the rotation—the “bridge” between the aces and the back-end starters.

Long‑term, the front office may consider trade options for depth if Stone‑s recovery stalls, though Roberts stressed the team prefers a cautious approach. The Dodgers’ front office, led by Andrew Friedman, is renowned for its “depth‑first” philosophy. They typically stockpile arms across multiple levels of the minor leagues to absorb these losses. However, the cumulative effect of multiple injuries can stretch even the deepest organizations thin. Analysts note that while the system can absorb this loss, a healthy Stone would provide valuable insurance against injuries to core starters, allowing the team to avoid overworking their primary arms during the grueling summer months.

Gavin Stone’s shoulder situation illustrates how a single injury can ripple through a club’s strategic planning. The numbers reveal that even a slight drop in velocity can shift a pitcher’s projected innings by dozens, forcing coaches to adjust bullpen usage and starter sequencing. If the Dodgers are forced to use an “opener” or a “bullpen game” to cover Stone’s absence, it puts additional stress on the relief corps, potentially leading to fatigue-related injuries later in the season.

In the high‑stakes environment of MLB Spring Training, every pitch is a data point. The Dodgers are watching Stone’s spin rate, fastball velocity, and shoulder range of motion like a hawk. The integration of Hawk-Eye technology and Rapsodo data allows the coaching staff to see exactly where the delivery is breaking down, ensuring that Stone does not return to the mound until his mechanics are perfectly aligned with his physical capabilities.