ANAHEIM -- During their off-day on Thursday, the Royals announced they signed former All-Star right-hander Tony Gonsolin and placed him on the 15-day injured list as he recovers from right elbow surgery. Right-hander Eli Morgan was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
Since his breakout season in 2022 with the Dodgers, when he pitched to a 2.14 ERA with a 16-1 record, Gonsolin has struggled to stay healthy. He underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2023 and missed the entire 2024 season. In ‘25, he made just seven starts before undergoing a brace procedure on his elbow.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Gonsolin is at the team’s complex in Arizona and that he threw a 45-pitch live batting practice on Friday. Quatraro said Gonsolin will throw another live session and see how he feels before the team sends him out on a rehab assignment.
“That went well, so he's pretty close,” Quatraro said of Gonsolin’s live session. “If things continue to go well, [he’s] going out on a rehab assignment.”
Quatraro is unclear on whether Gonsolin will recover in time to join the Royals rotation before the season’s end, but he’s excited for the potential boost that a pitcher of Gonsolin’s ilk can provide to the team.
Despite an injury-plagued few years, Gonsolin owns a career 3.34 ERA in 411 2/3 innings.
“He's been an effective Major League starter,” Quatraro said. “I mean, he was 16-1 a couple years ago.
“He knows what he's doing. He knows how to pitch. He could bring a lot of experience to us, and clearly we've had our fair share of injuries in the rotation, so it could be a big lift.”