Gavin Stone Halted for Two Weeks Due to Shoulder Inflammation

Los Angeles Dodgers rookie Gavin Stone will cease all throwing activities for 14 days following a diagnosis of inflammation in his right shoulder.

Gavin Stone will not pick up a baseball for the next 14 days after a medical evaluation revealed inflammation in his right shoulder. The Los Angeles Dodgers placed the 25-year-old right-hander on the 15-day injured list prior to Friday’s series opener against the Cleveland Guardians. This roster move was retroactive to September 6, effectively pausing a season where the rookie has emerged as a rotation mainstay. Stone currently leads the Dodgers pitching staff in starts with 25 and total innings pitched at 140.1, underscoring the significant workload he has carried throughout the 2024 campaign.

Manager Dave Roberts confirmed the shutdown period is a necessary measure to address the discomfort the pitcher reported following his last outing. During that final start on August 31 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the righty surrendered five earned runs over five innings of work. Despite that difficult appearance, his season statistics remain impressive, featuring an 11-5 record and a 3.53 ERA. He has struck out 116 batters while maintaining a 1.21 WHIP, figures that have stabilized a Los Angeles rotation frequently hampered by various health setbacks to other starters.

This two-week hiatus means Stone will not be eligible to return to the active roster until at least September 21. The timing is critical as the Dodgers hold a narrow lead in the National League West standings with fewer than 25 games remaining on the schedule. By stopping his throwing program entirely, the medical staff hopes to eliminate the localized swelling without surgical intervention. The club has not yet announced a specific starter to fill his vacancy, though the recent return of other veteran arms provides some flexibility for the upcoming road trips.

Statistically, Stone has been the most durable member of the staff this year, being the only Dodgers starter to avoid the injured list until this September diagnosis. His 140.1 innings represent a massive jump from his 2023 total of 31.0 frames in the major leagues. This 352% increase in high-leverage workload likely contributed to the fatigue now manifesting as inflammation. His absence leaves the team with a rotation consisting of Jack Flaherty, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Walker Buehler, and Bobby Miller as they approach the postseason stretch.

Upon the conclusion of this 14-day rest window, the right-hander will undergo a follow-up physical examination to determine if the irritation has subsided. If cleared, he would then need to initiate a ramp-up progression, starting with flat-ground tosses before moving to mound sessions. Because the regular season concludes on September 29, the window for him to regain game fitness before the playoffs is exceptionally tight. The organization remains hopeful that this proactive shutdown will allow their win-leader to contribute during the October tournament.