Dodgers notes: Mookie Betts, Gavin Stone, Tony Gonsolin

Mookie Betts has been back from injury for two weeks now, and he’s back like he never left.

In the 13 games that he’s played since returning from the injured list with a fractured left hand, Betts is slashing .275/.321/.529 with three home runs, 11 RBI, four doubles, and seven runs scored. Although he hit just .167 over his past 30 at bats prior to Sunday’s game, his two-run home run against the Tampa Bay Rays helped solidify a series win and improve the Dodgers back to a season high-tying 25 games above .500.

Betts talked about his go-ahead home run after Sunday’s win, noting that he knew that he had extra bases once he made contact, per Kyle Glaser of MLB.com.

“I knew it was a double at least [off the bat], which would have gave us a chance to put one across the board,” Betts said. “That’s all I really cared about. Just get us a lead and get into the ninth and finish it out.”

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Gavin Stone has endured quite a rocky rookie season despite the overall season numbers. Stone had a 9-2 record and a sub-3.00 ERA at the end of June, yet reverted back to his 2023 form over the course of July to early August with a 6.91 ERA. Over his past three starts, he has tossed 19 innings, allowing just eight hits, two earned runs, four walks, and struck out 23.

Manager Dave Roberts doesn’t have a reason for why Stone endured his mid-season slump, but noted that he’s been most effective when he’s getting ahead in the count and keeping opposing hitters off balance, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.

“I don’t know the answer,” Roberts said... I don’t know if some of it is the league making adjustments on him. But I know that he believes his stuff plays, and when he can get ahead and mix and match, keep guys off balance, he can still strike guys out and still go deep in games.”

When Tony Gonsolin was placed on the 60-day IL last season, the initial prognosis was that he would miss the remainder of the 2023 season and the entirety of the 2024 season.

Now, after Gonsolin threw his first bullpen since undergoing Tommy John surgery, the 30-year-old right hander hasn’t ruled out a return to the mound this season, per Doug Padilla of the Orange County Register.

“I think there is definitely enough time to come back as a starter,” Gonsolin said Sunday. “We’ll see where we’re at. The main thing is just feeling healthy.”