Heading into Spring Training most assumed the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation would consist of Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Trevor Bauer and David Price, along with one of Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May and Julio Urias.
A report prior to camp opening indicated the Dodgers already had decided on Urias over their pair of young right-handers. The team never publicly confirmed as much and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts asserted the staff boasted eight viable starters — adding Jimmy Nelson to the equation.
The outlook began to shift a bit when it was revealed Price approached Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman about a potential shift to the bullpen. Roberts nonetheless maintained Price has been built up to potentially start.
While Roberts again said the rotation order has not been set behind Kershaw on Opening Day, he did effectively name Urias to the group and confirm Nelson will begin as a relief pitcher.
“Jimmy Nelson will be in the ‘pen, so now you’re looking at three other guys in May, Gonsolin and David starting one of those first five games,” Roberts said.
Price is slated to start Sunday in the opener of the exhibition Freeway Series, and Gonsolin will pitch in relief. It will mark Price’s fourth appearance of the spring and second consecutive start, but first time pitching in a game since March 18.
Price has yet to log more than three innings in any Cactus League appearance thus far. That would figure to suggest the 35-year-old is primed for a role out of the bullpen.
Gonsolin is in a similar boat as his longest outing is 4.1 innings. That came Sunday, which was Gonsolin’s first — and will stand as only — start of Spring Training. However, assuming he logs four or five innings against the Angels, Gonsolin would be in position for a normal length start come the regular season if he’s selected for the rotation.
May has started three of four Cactus League appearances, with his latest outing the most impressive and longest. May struck out six and held the Chicago Cubs to one run over five innings on Thursday. He could pitch again during the Freeway Series.
May attributes success to routine
Although May has continued to state he will pitch in any role at a moment’s notice, there’s value to being on a set routine. His start against the Cubs marked a third straight time the right-hander pitched on a normal turn in the rotation.
“I’m a huge routine guy, so just being able to stay on the five-day a couple times in a row now has been great,” May said. “Just being able to feel my body out and get to the spot I was feeling last year in the playoffs and hopefully getting to stay as a starter. But we’re moving forward with whatever they tell me to do.”
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