Gavin Stone’s Remarkable Comeback
PHOENIX – Gavin Stone joked this spring about throwing with “a whole new shoulder.” However, manager Dave Roberts sees him as the same “mini-bulldog” the Dodgers valued two years ago.
“This guy is going to overachieve,” Roberts declared confidently. “Gavin has been working hard to return to his former pitching self.”
Stone had been looked at as one of the team’s breakout stars in 2024. He led the Dodgers in innings pitched that year, starting 25 games and achieving an 11-5 record with an ERA of 3.53, marking a significant leap in his performance.
Roberts affectionately calls him “Mini Bulldog,” drawing a comparison between Stone’s efficient, classic pitching style and that of legendary player Orel Hershiser.
Yet, just when Stone seemed poised for a solid Rookie of the Year showing, setbacks emerged. On August 31st, during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he gave up five runs in five innings. The next day, he woke up unable to lift his shoulders. This unfortunate turn led to major surgery on his shoulder, which included repairs to the capsule, labrum, and rotator cuff.
“I was stunned by how severe the injuries were,” Roberts remarked. “But it showcases Gavin’s resilience. Despite the challenges, he found ways to compete and improve.”
On Tuesday, almost 18 months after facing the Diamondbacks, Stone made a comeback. He pitched a solid inning with two strikeouts without allowing any runs in a Cactus League game against the Cleveland Guardians, showing glimpses of his signature changeup and hitting 94-95 mph with his fastball.
He embraced this moment, which felt both cathartic and celebratory.
Recovery challenges could mean he misses the entire 2024 World Series and the 2025 title defense, yet he’s confident about getting back to his pre-injury form. “That’s the goal,” he smiled after pitching. “Today was a great start.”
Initially, that goal seemed uncertain. Shoulder injuries can be especially tough for pitchers, and the extent of his injury was shocking to him. “The MRI looked bad,” he noted, acknowledging the long road ahead as adjustments need to be made.
Surprisingly, his steady progress in camp has been encouraging for Dodgers officials. With Blake Snell unlikely to start the season, Stone is now competing with River Ryan and Justin Robelski for a spot in the Opening Day rotation.
Roberts mentioned that Stone is progressing faster than Ryan, who has been recovering from Tommy John surgery. On Tuesday, Stone’s changeup was as effective as ever, striking out five out of six batters who attempted to hit it.
“That’s my bread and butter, so I’m quite dependent on it,” he quipped. “It felt good to throw without pain. I practiced it a lot, and seeing the results today was uplifting.”
The changeup is just part of Stone’s arsenal, which also includes a slider, cutter, and sinker, helping him induce weak contact, secure quick outs, and pitch deep into games. This was evident two years ago when he had over 140 innings and contributed to the Dodgers’ last shutout.
When asked what to expect for Stone in 2026, Roberts said, “I think it’s going to be a good year for him. I’m unsure about his innings, but I know he’ll definitely make an impact.”
The Dodgers will closely monitor Stone’s workload, as both Roberts and Andrew Friedman acknowledged the challenges of pushing him too hard early in the season. Still, after such a promising return, Stone’s focus remains clear.
His objective is to rejoin the Dodgers’ rotation swiftly and continue from where he left off before surgery. “I want to get the team out of camp,” he said. “I’m doing everything I can to make that happen.”
