Dodgers’ $5.4 Million All-Star Suffers Injury, Won’t Be in Starting Rotation to Open Season

The injury bug continues to hit the Los Angeles Dodgers in spring training.

All-Star pitcher Tony Gonsolin has suffered an injury in camp and won't be in the starting rotation to open the season, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Dodgers Territory Monday night.

Roberts said Gonsolin suffered the back injury while lifting weights, and now won't be the team's No. 5 starter. Instead, right-handed pitcher Dustin May has won the competition.

"I think it's Dustin because, he's obviously pitched well, getting back," Roberts said. "Tony with the little hiccup, just not being able to build up. I think Dustin makes a lot of sense."

Gonsolin and May were competing for the No. 5 starter spot along with right-handed pitcher Bobby Miller, who got hit with a comebacker off the forehead in the Cactus League opener that ultimately took him out of the running for the job.

Gonsolin, 30, hasn't pitched since 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2023. Gonsolin attempted to return in late 2024 - even making three rehab starts - but wasn't activated during the postseason.

Gonsolin then entered 2025 as the expected leader in the clubhouse for the No. 5 starter spot. However, the 2022 All-Star will now potentially start the season on the injured list. He's due $5.4 million in 2025, his second-to-last year of team control.

As for May, this is an incredible accomplishment for the 27-year old who also hasn't pitched since 2023. The right-hander last pitched in May 2023, and underwent a Tommy John revision surgery in July 2023 to repair a UCL sprain and his flexor tendon.

Last year, May was close to returning, before eating a piece of lettuce that got stuck and ended up tearing his esophagus. May underwent emergency surgery that saved his life.

"It was definitely a life-altering event," May said earlier this spring. "It was definitely very serious. It's not a very common surgery. It was definitely an emergency. ... I probably wouldn't have made it through the night if I didn't have it."

Now, after nearly two years of battling back, May will be the No. 5 starter on the defending World Series champions, a role he made known he wanted all along.

"I'd prefer to start," May said when asked about potentially opening the season in the bullpen.