| Tony Gonsolin | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Gonsolin at theWhite House in 2021 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1994-05-14)May 14, 1994 (age 31) Vacaville, California, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 26, 2019, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 37–13 |
| Earned run average | 3.34 |
| Strikeouts | 387 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Anthony Dennis Gonsolin (born May 14, 1994) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theLos Angeles Dodgers. He played college baseball for theSaint Mary's Gaels and was drafted by the Dodgers in the ninth round of the2016 MLB draft. In 2019, he made his MLB debut.
Gonsolin attendedVacaville High School inVacaville, California. As a senior, he went 4–1 with a 2.60earned run average (ERA).[1] After going undrafted in the2012 MLB draft, he playedcollege baseball atSt. Mary's College of California. In summer 2015, Gonsolin played for theMadison Mallards of theNorthwoods League.[2] As a senior in 2016, he pitched to a 3–3 record with a 3.86 ERA in 18 games.[3] He was drafted by theLos Angeles Dodgers in the ninth round of the2016 MLB draft.[4]
Gonsolin spent his first professional season with the rookie-levelOgden Raptors and Single-AGreat Lakes Loons, pitching to a combined 1–2 record with a 3.77 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 19 relief appearances.[3] He spent 2017 with Great Lakes and the High-ARancho Cucamonga Quakes, where he went 7–6 with a 3.86 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 42 games.[3] After spending his first two seasons as a relief pitcher, Gonsolin was converted into a starter in 2018. He started the season with Rancho Cucamonga and was promoted to the Double-ATulsa Drillers during the season. In 26 starts with both affiliates, Gonsolin went 10–2 with a 2.60 ERA and 155 strikeouts over 128 innings.[5] The Dodgers named him as the organization's minor league pitcher of the year for 2018.[6]
Gonsolin began 2019 with theOklahoma City Dodgers and was called up to the Dodgers on June 26 to make his debut as the starting pitcher against theArizona Diamondbacks.[7] He pitched four innings, allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits with three strikeouts. He also singled to center field in his first major league at bat.[8] On July 30, in his second MLB game, Gonsolin picked up his first careersave against theColorado Rockies after pitching four innings of relief in a 9–4 win.[9] On August 5, Gonsolin picked up his first major league win after pitching six shutout innings against theSt. Louis Cardinals. He allowed only two hits and one walk, while striking out seven batters.[10] He pitched 40 innings in 11 games for the Dodgers, with six starts, and finished with a 4–2 record and a 2.93 ERA.[11]
In thepandemic-shortened 2020 regular season, Gonsolin went 2–2 with a 2.31 ERA, in nine games (eight starts) during which he struck out 46 batters in46+2⁄3 innings.[11] In the postseason, he made two appearances in theNLCS, starting game two and appearing in relief in game seven. He pitched a total of 61⁄3 innings, allowing seven runs and picking up the loss in game two.[12] In theWorld Series, he was selected by Dodgers managerDave Roberts to start Game 2, on two days' rest, against theTampa Bay Rays.[13] He only pitched1+1⁄3 innings in the game and allowed one earned run on one hit and one walk as he was awarded the loss in the game.[14] He also got the start in Game 6 and this time pitched1+2⁄3 innings while allowing one run on three hits and two walks; however, the Dodgers came from behind to win that game and clinch the championship.[15] Gonsolin received eleven votes in 2020National League Rookie of the Year voting, finishing in fourth place.[16] On October 26, 2020,Baseball America named Gonsolin its2020 Rookie of the Year.[17]
Gonsolin began the 2021 season on theOpening Day roster but did not appear in a game before he was placed on the injured list on April 4 with right shoulder inflammation. After a few rehab starts, he was activated on June 9 to rejoin the Dodgers starting rotation.[18] His shoulder started hurting again towards the end of July and he was put back on the injured list on July 31.[19] After missing another month, he returned on September 9.[20] He made 13 starts (and two relief appearances) for the Dodgers in 2021, with a 4–1 record and a 3.23 ERA.[11] Gonsolin made three relief appearances in the2021 NLCS, allowing five runs on five hits in four innings.[11]
After starting the 2022 season with 11 wins and no losses and a 2.02 ERA, Gonsolin was selected to the2022 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. However, he allowed three runs on four hits (including two home runs) to pick up the loss in the game.[21] At the end of August, Gonsolin was placed on the injured list with a forearm strain.[22] He spent the next month recovering and did not return until he made a start on October 3, the second to last day of the regular season.[23] Despite this, his season numbers were a career best. He finished 16–1 with a 2.14 ERA and 119 strikeouts.[11] He started Game 3 of theNLDS and gave up a run in1+1⁄3 innings, taking the loss, and the favored Dodgers went on to lose the series to the Padres.
On January 31, 2023, Gonsolin signed a two-year, $6.65 million, contract to avoid salary arbitration.[24] However, an ankle injury in spring training led to him beginning the season on the injured list.[25] He rejoined the Dodgers rotation on April 26.[26] He made 20 starts with the Dodgers in 2023, with an 8–5 record and 4.98 ERA[11] but on August 18 against theMiami Marlins he allowed 10 earned runs in3+1⁄3 innings, including five home runs, tying a team record for most home runs allowed in a game.[27] The following day, he was placed on the injured list with right forearm inflammation. The team said Gonsolin had been dealing with arm issues all year and he was unlikely to pitch again during the season.[28] On August 28, it was confirmed that he would undergoTommy John surgery, ending his season.[29]
Gonsolin spent the 2024 season recovering from his surgery, appearing only in three rehab games in the minor leagues.[30] Despite his injury, Gonsolin signed a $5.4 million contract with the Dodgers for 2025 to avoid salary arbitration.[31]
Gonsolin began the 2025 season on the injured list after suffering a back injury while lifting weights duringspring training.[32] He finally rejoined the Dodgers starting rotation on April 30[33] and made seven starts with a 3–2 record and 5.00 ERA.[11] On June 7, Gonsolin was placed back on the injured list for right elbow discomfort[34] and on August 12 it was revealed that he had an internal brace and flexor repair surgery on his shoulder, ending his chances of returning during the 2025 season.[35] Gonsolin wasdesignated for assignment by the Dodgers on November 6.[36] He cleared waivers and elected free agency on November 12.[37]