While the Los Angeles Dodgers intended for Julio Urias to fill a larger role with the team this season, their handling of the prized left-hander during Spring Training made it unclear how that would manifest itself.
Urias largely pitched under restraints and not on the same program as other starting pitchers in camp. Illness forced him to miss a couple days, which further impacted Urias potentially being stretched out.
He remained in extended Spring Training at the outset of the season and eventually was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Urias then joined the Dodgers near the end of April, and he was expected to remain with the club for the duration of the regular season.
However, the 20-year-old struggled and was sent back to Oklahoma City to refine his mechanics. That’s come to a bit of a halt as Urias was placed on the seven-day disabled list due to shoulder discomfort that isn’t considered serious, according to Jacob Unruh of The Oklahoman:
“It’s nothing that we’re worried about at all,” Oklahoma City manager Bill Haselman said. “Just some discomfort he’s going to get checked out and then he’ll be back.”
The DL stint is retroactive to June 11, and prevents Urias from making a scheduled start on Friday. He’s 3-0 with a 3.12 ERA, six walks and 17 strikeouts in 17.1 innings pitched in three starts since being sent down.
Urias allowed just two runs in 17 innings through his first three starts with the Dodgers this season. Though, he did issue 10 walks over that span, including two outings with four walks. Shaky command led to subpar results in two ensuing outings.
Urias struggled to put batters away and allowed a combined 13 runs (12 earned) in just 6.1 innings, prompting the demotion.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently said he expected Urias to remain with Oklahoma City for several more starts.
