Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Tyler Anderson will start Saturday against the San Diego Padres. Andrew Heaney had been listed as the probable, but he was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to left shoulder discomfort.
Roberts said Heaney experienced shoulder soreness after his start against the Cincinnati Reds, and although there had been improvement, the team decided to err on the side of caution. Heaney has 16 strikeouts against three walks in 10.1 innings over two starts this season.
His success has largely been tied to incorporating a new sweeping slider to pair with the fastball. “My velo hasn’t been amazing,” Heaney said earlier this week.
“But I think it’s something where I think I can keep guys off the heater with that. And then vice versa, right, like keep guys off the slider with the heater. So haven’t really even mixed in the changeup all that much.
“So I think that’s kind of the next step for me is to kind of get a little bit more into a three-pitch mix. But yeah, I mean, I think the two (fastball and slider) play off each other really well.”
Zach McKinstry was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to replace Heaney on the active roster.
Anderson embracing role with Dodgers
When the Dodgers signed Anderson to a one-year contract during Spring Training it was with a mutual understanding he would be relied on in a hybrid role. Although a starter by trade, the 32-year-old has prioritized playing for a World Series contender.
So far, both of Anderson’s appearances have been out of the bullpen in games Tony Gonsolin started.
“I knew that was going to be part of it coming in. In spring we had a set rotation and we have more starters that are injured and will probably be ready later in the season,” Anderson said of the arrangement.
“I just want to be part of a team that I think is going to win. I’ll have a chance to go out at some point and probably start, and sometimes I’ll be out of the ‘pen. Just try to do whatever I can to help us win on any night.”
Prior to Heaney’s injury, Roberts stopped short of saying the Dodgers would permanently remain committed to using Anderson as a piggyback to Gonsolin.
Anderson presumably was scheduled to pitch in the series finale against the Atlanta Braves, but wound up only throwing a side session in the bullpen to prepare for his weekend start.
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