Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
Gavin Stone is among the Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers returning from injury this season.
The 27-year-old missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from shoulder surgery he underwent on Oct. 9, 2024. He now looks to reclaim a spot in a crowded Dodgers rotation with a strong Spring Training.
Stone has already completed his rehab process, so he is a full-go this spring, and the Dodgers expect a normal year for the right-hander.
Stone was also putting in work this offseason to improve upon his 2024 season, which included adding 15 pounds, according to Jack Harris of the California Post:
Like River Ryan, Gavin Stone also used his time rehabbing last year to bulk up. He said he has added 15 pounds, and was able to have a pretty normal throwing progression this winter https://t.co/xOAcpDX0lx
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) February 14, 2026
Stone also added weight ahead of the 2024 season, which allowed him to better maintain his velocity.
In addition, River Ryan also put on extra muscle this offseason as he returns from Tommy John surgery.
Stone had a breakout 2024 season when he led the team in wins (11), innings pitched (140.1) and starts (25) while posting a 3.53 ERA and 1.21 WHIP to go along with 116 strikeouts against 37 walks. However, he did not pitch after Aug. 31, 2024, due to right shoulder inflammation.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is excited to get both Stone and Ryan back this season.
“I think it’s easy to talk about the guys that we have sort of slotted in as far as starters, but guys like River, Gavin, two years ago Gavin threw the most innings as a starter for a championship team. River is very talented…
“But I’m excited for River, excited for Gavin, because to see your teammates celebrate and go through what we went through, and not be able to participate, those are things we’re all betting on for their extra hunger to make an impact in 2026.”
Stone faces an uphill battle for a spot in the Dodgers’ rotation, and he should be competing with Ryan, Emmet Sheehan, Roki Sasaki and Justin Wrobleski to fill out their staff.
Dodgers using six-man rotation
The Dodgers have both elite talent and a ton of depth in their rotation, so they plan to once again use a six-man rotation in 2026.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell figure to be locks as long as they’re healthy, leaving two open spots for the rest.
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