KANSAS CITY -- Tony Gonsolin has a week to show the Royals what he can do, and the veteran right-hander is looking forward to the opportunity.
Before Kansas City opened its final homestand of the 2026 season, Gonsolin was reinstated from the injured list after battling back from having internal brace surgery on his right elbow in 2025. He was signed by the Royals on Aug. 13 and pitched 16 1/3 innings on a rehab assigment with Omaha before getting the call to join the Major League club.
Gonsolin, 32, was an All-Star with the Dodgers in 2022, going 16-1 with a 2.14 ERA. He had a previous Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss the 2024 season.
“It was a lot of long days, a lot of ups and downs early,” Gonsolin said of his journey back to the Majors. “Essentially, I’m trying out for next year. It has been a while since I’ve thrown before this many fans. Just looking forward to the excitement and the adrenaline.”
Gonsolin made his first Royals appearance in Tuesday's 14-11 loss to the White Sox. He worked two scoreless innings before running into trouble in his third frame. He wound up allowing four hits and five runs over 2 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out five.
"Don't walk guys, that's what I took from it," Gonsolin said. "The fastball execution isn't entirely there, so that's something to work on."