The Los Angeles Dodgers went into Spring Training this year boasting plenty of starting pitching depth. Some of their starters — Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu — were on the recovery trail, but there were contingency plans.
Although the Dodgers lost Zack Greinke to the Arizona Diamondbacks, they re-signed Brett Anderson and Brandon Beachy, and signed Scott Kazmir and Kenta Maeda. The returning crop of pitchers included Mike Bolsinger, Clayton Kershaw, Alex Wood and multiple prospects.
However, the Dodgers’ depth quickly eroded as spring wore on as Ryu suffered multiple setbacks, Anderson required back surgery, Bolsinger suffered a strained oblique, and Beachy battled elbow trouble.
The laundry list of injuries guaranteed Wood a spot in the rotation, and resulted in Ross Stripling being named the Dodgers’ fifth starter. With some question marks on their pitching staff, the Dodgers will be among the teams scouting Tim Lincecum on Friday, according to Jon Heyman:
At least dodgers and padres among giants division rivals will have scout at Lincecum showcase Friday. TL is west coast guy
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 3, 2016
Lincecum is holding the highly-anticipated showcase at Scottsdale Stadium, the Spring Training home of the San Francisco Giants. Roughly 20 teams are expected to be represented as Lincecum looks to make his way back from a hip surgery.
The right-hander was taken No. 10 overall by the Giants in the 2006 draft. Lincecum went 108-83 with a 3.61 ERA, 3.36 FIP and 1.27 WHIP in 269 games (261 starts) for San Francisco in nine seasons.
Prior to undergoing season-ending hip surgery in 2015, Lincecum was 7-4 with a 4.13 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 15 starts. His left hip was repaired by shaving down bone to allow greater range of motion, also improving stability, and by reattaching a partially torn labrum.
The Dodgers haven’t exactly come up roses in their pursuit of former Giants pitcher. Jason Schmidt made just 10 starts after signing a three-year, $47 million contract in December 2006; he missed all of the 2008 season.
Brian Wilson had a stellar finish to the 2013 season after signing with the Dodgers, but struggled the following season, and was released in December 2014.
