Stone impresses in long-awaited return to mound, eyes Dodgers rotation

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Dodgers may have come into Spring Training with their rotation more or less set, but don't count Gavin Stone out from the mix.

After nearly a year and a half away from the big league mound due to shoulder surgery, Stone returned with a three-up, three-down inning in Tuesday's 11-3 win against the Guardians at Camelback Ranch. The right-hander threw 15 pitches, landing 11 for strikes, and sent two batters down swinging, both on his signature changeup.

"That’s my bread and butter," Stone said, "so if I don’t have that, I’m screwed. It was the easiest pitch on my shoulder to throw. It never really hurt, so I got to practice it a lot, just getting the feel for it. Seeing the results today is really uplifting."

It was Stone's first game action since 2024, when he recorded a 3.53 ERA and led the Dodgers with 140 1/3 innings before sustaining a season-ending right shoulder injury. He had surgery on his shoulder that October, ultimately having to miss out on two World Series runs.

After being such a key arm two seasons ago, Stone was out of sight, out of mind last year. But now that he's building up for his return to big league action, the Dodgers are looking forward to seeing how he can contribute to the upcoming three-peat bid.

"I think that one, him performing well in '24 gives him the confidence to feel like he can pick back up," manager Dave Roberts said. "And then two, missing out on two World Series, I think that that leaves that desire, that bitter taste, that he-wasn't-able-to-be-and-finish-with-us incentive."

Stone is stretching out as a starter, but his exact role for this year remains somewhat up in the air. There should be at least one opening in the rotation with Blake Snell appearing unlikely to be ready in time for Opening Day. That might not be the only one. Roberts has said that Roki Sasaki and Emmet Sheehan essentially have the inside track for the projected fifth and sixth spots, but they still have to perform this spring.

That gives Stone, along with arms such as River Ryan, Justin Wrobleski and Landon Knack, an opportunity to force the Dodgers' hand this spring. And Stone plans on doing just that.

"For me, my goal is to make the team out of camp," Stone said. "So I’m doing everything I can to make that happen."

Stone and Ryan (Tommy John surgery) may be at a disadvantage in the competition for rotation spots because both missed the entirety of last year. The Dodgers aren't necessarily imposing hard innings limits on either, but there is always uncertainty with players coming back from long-term injuries.

In Stone's case, that he was able to be so effective until his shoulder finally forced him out of action back in 2024 spoke volumes to the Dodgers. No matter how many innings he can contribute, the team is hoping he can bring that grit to the table this season.

"His value is to be able to post, and he never wants the ball taken out of his hand. And he's healthy now," Roberts said. "That's why, for me, I just have a hard time putting restrictions on him for 2026 because this guy's gonna overachieve and over-deliver."

Following a long rehabilitation process, Stone feels that he has a solid command of his seven-pitch mix. On Tuesday, he almost exclusively leaned on his four-seamer and changeup, also throwing one cutter and one slider. At this stage, recovery following a heavy throw day remains his biggest challenge.

"I will be sore for sure," Stone said, "but I think it’ll be a good soreness."

As he ramps up this spring, Stone is simply focusing on doing his job and getting outs. His bigger-picture goal is getting back to his pre-injury form. If the version of Stone that the Dodgers get this year resembles his performance in 2024, then an already formidable pitching staff could be that much better.

"He was on his way to being one of our studs a couple years ago, and it's nice to see him back on the mound pitching like he did," said first baseman Freddie Freeman, who hit a two-run double in his spring debut. "That's good for him, that's great for his confidence and his psyche. That's all the hard work he's put in, it's paying off. And hopefully, the floodgates open for him."