With Brett Anderson undergoing back surgery for a bulging disk, and Hyun-Jin Ryu’s recovery from last season’s shoulder surgery advancing slower than initially expected, two voids were left in the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation.
One was filled by Alex Wood, who was promoted from the sixth starter on the depth chart to No. 4 in the rotation. After multiple weeks of competition to find their fifth starting pitcher, the Dodgers settled on Mike Bolsinger.
However, on the day Bolsinger was selected, he was scratched from an outing on March 20 due to tightness in his side. The issue was later said to be an oblique strain, which landed Bolsinger on the 15-day disabled to begin the season.
The right-hander thought he’d be able to make a quick recovery, though Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said he didn’t believe Bolsinger would recover in time for Opening Day, which wound up holding true.
In 21 starts last season for the Dodgers last season, Bolsinger posted a 6-6 record, to go with a 3.62 ERA, 3.91 FIP and 1.36 WHIP. Over three Spring Training starts this year, Bolsinger tossed a combined nine innings, allowing two runs on five hits, and had six strikeouts to three walks.
