Dodgers designate former All-Star Tony Gonsolin for assignment

The Los Angeles Dodgers designated 2022 All-Star Tony Gonsolin for assignment amidst a flurry of roster-clearing moves on Thursday, officially ending the tenure of one of the club’s draft and development success stories.

The move itself doesn’t qualify as much of a surprise. Gonsolin underwent surgery in August to revise his 2023 Tommy John surgery and apply an internal brace in his right elbow, as well as repair his flexor tendon. He was expected to miss most, if not all, of 2026. He was projected to earn $5.4 million in arbitration, according to MLB Trade Rumors.

It still marks a definitive end for Gonsolin, a former ninth-round pick who went from converted pitcher to an All-Star. Over 86 appearances (78 starts) with the Dodgers, Gonsolin had a 3.34 ERA in 411 2/3 innings.

The Dodgers also outrighted Justin Dean and Michael Grove off the 40-man roster to clear 40-man roster spots. Dean was on the Dodgers’ World Series roster, appearing this postseason exclusively as a defensive replacement and pinch runner. His biggest moment came in a play he didn’t try to make — he raised his hands in the air when Addison Barger’s double got wedged into the wall in the ninth inning of Game 6 of the World Series. Umpires declared a dead ball, and two batters later, the Dodgers held on for a 3-1 victory. Dean was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants.

Grove missed all of 2025 after undergoing labrum surgery on his right shoulder. The former second round pick was set to make $800,000 in arbitration, according to MLBTR’s projections. He had a 5.48 ERA in 64 appearances as a Dodger.

The moves were in response to the Dodgers picking up club options for Max Muncy and Alex Vesia, along with the previously reported addition of Ryan Ward to the 40-man roster. The team also added left-handed pitcher Robinson Ortiz to the 40-man roster. The 25-year-old had a 2.73 ERA across three minor league levels last season, striking out 72 batters in 59 1/3 innings.