Royals bring in Tony Gonsolin on MLB contract

Gonsolin was designated for assignment by the Dodgers at the start of November. The 31-year-old is going to miss a large portion of 2026 after undergoing an internal brace procedure on his right elbow, so he’s likely looking at an incentive-laden deal that pays him more in 2027 than next season.

Gonsolin is expected to miss a significant portion of next season after undergoing an internal brace procedure on his right elbow back in early August. The 31-year-old right-hander was a key component of the Dodgers’ pitching staff from 2019-2023 when he compiled a strong 3.19 RA across 375 2/3 innings over 79 appearances (71 starts). He’s been limited to just seven starts over the past two seasons due to a pair of elbow surgeries. He would represent a low-risk gamble for another organization at this stage of his career.

He’ll obviously miss the remainder of the 2025 season and part of the 2026 campaign as the procedure calls for an 8-to-10 month timeline for recovery. Gonsolin made just seven starts for the Dodgers in 2025, posting a 5.00 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a 38/18 K/BB ratio over 36 innings of work.

Roberts acknowledged that time is running out for Gonsolin to return this season, saying, “We’re going to have to make a decision with Tony soon. I’m not sure what that is, but we’re going to have to make a decision at some point.” The 31-year-old righty landed on the injured list in early June with elbow discomfort. While there’s no UCL damage requiring surgery, it’s looking increasingly unlikely that he’ll pitch again in 2025.

The Dodgers have been very vague regarding updates on Gonsolin’s elbow, only saying that his UCL remains intact, but this move indicates that he’s going to miss at least a couple of months while he is recovering. Jack Little was promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, taking Gonsolin’s place on the team’s 40-man roster.

It’s an encouraging update after Gonsolin hit the injured list earlier this weekend with an extremely vague “elbow discomfort” designation. There’s no word yet on how much time the 31-year-old righty figures to miss, but fantasy managers should anticipate a lengthy absence.

The injuries to Los Angeles’ starting rotation feel like they’re hitting a bit of a tipping point with Gonsolin becoming the latest to hit the shelf. No word yet on how much time he figures to miss, but fantasy managers should anticipate at least a couple weeks, even in a best-case scenario. The 31-year-old righty has compiled a pedestrian 5.00 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 38/18 K/BB ratio across 36 innings (seven starts). It’s unclear how the Dodgers will fill his rotation spot, which comes up next on Tuesday against the Padres.

After the first inning, Gonsolin was outstanding, and he generated an excellent 17 swings and misses over his 90 pitches. Unfortunately for for him, fantasy managers and the Dodgers, the first inning did happen. He allowed a run-scoring fielder’s choice to Juan Soto, and then a two-run blast to Pete Alonso. The line doesn’t look good, but this was an encouraging outing. He’ll still be a risky fantasy streamer against the Padres next week.

Gonsolin gets the win despite allowing four homers in the contest, and can thank his lineup — particularly Shohei Ohtani — for enough run support for that to “not matter.” It still wasn’t an effective outing, although it’s worth noting he held the Yankees scoreless over his final three innings after giving up five in the first three frames. Gonsolin will face another New York team next week, but it’ll be the Mets in New York on Wednesday.

Gonsolin was so-so after the first four frames, but he made a mess of things in the fifth while loading the bases and giving up a two-run double to Juan Soto. He gave up seven hits and three walks, and four strikeouts doesn’t really make up for another shaky outing. Gonsolin now has a 4.68 ERA on the 2025 campaign, and fantasy managers should look elsewhere for an option when he faces the Yankees on Friday.