Gavin Stone Likely To Miss 2025 Season Following Shoulder Surgery
On October 9, the Dodgers announced that right-hander Gavin Stone underwent surgery on his right shoulder, performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. The surgery is expected to sideline Stone for the entirety of the 2025 season.
Stone, who turns 26 next week, debuted with the Dodgers last year with mixed results but had a breakout season this year after stepping into the rotation due to numerous pitching injuries. He became one of the team’s most reliable pitchers during the year as key players like Bobby Miller, Walker Buehler, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow were sidelined at different points due to injuries or performance issues. During this period, Stone posted a strong 3.53 ERA (109 ERA+) with a 4.01 FIP over 140 1/3 innings in 25 starts, including an impressive 2.73 ERA in his first 15 starts of the season.
However, Stone’s performance dipped after the All-Star break, as he managed to pitch past the fifth inning only three times and recorded a 4.12 ERA and 5.00 FIP in his final eight starts. He was placed on the IL in early September due to what was then described as right shoulder inflammation. The shoulder issue persisted, causing him to be ruled out for the postseason. Initially, it was expected that Stone would be ready for Spring Training 2025, but that’s no longer the case, as his recovery will likely keep him out until 2026.
While Stone’s absence doesn’t affect the Dodgers’ current push for the NLCS against the Mets, it is a significant blow to the club’s 2025 rotation. With Shohei Ohtani expected to join the rotation early next year, the Dodgers are likely to adopt a six-man rotation, similar to the Angels’ strategy when Ohtani pitched for them. Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Glasnow are expected to take three spots, but beyond that, the rotation remains uncertain.
Bobby Miller will return in 2025, but after a rough year with an 8.52 ERA in 13 starts, the Dodgers may hesitate to rely on him heavily. Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May are also set to return but will be coming off long-term injuries, raising questions about their durability. Clayton Kershaw’s future remains undecided after an injury-plagued season, and both Buehler and Jack Flaherty are set to become free agents this November.
With these uncertainties, the Dodgers are expected to prioritize bolstering their starting rotation this winter. The free agent market is headlined by top pitchers like Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell, Max Fried, and Flaherty. The Dodgers have historically been aggressive in free agency, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they pursued one of these names. Even beyond the top-tier pitchers, mid-level options like Nathan Eovaldi, Sean Manaea, or Luis Severino could help strengthen their rotation, or they might look for a bounce-back candidate, similar to past moves with Tyler Anderson and Noah Syndergaard.
