The Los Angeles Dodgers have been without Julio Urías since the middle of May, but he cleared a major hurdle over the weekend by throwing his first true bullpen session since suffering a left hamstring strain.
“He was good,” manager Dave Roberts answered when asked how Urías looked. “I would say probably about 80%, about 25 to 30 pitches, used his entire pitch mix. Didn’t look like he was favoring it at all.”
Next for Urías is facing batters while the Dodgers are on the road, and should he continue to make progress without any setbacks, a return to the rotation could occur during the Philadelphia Phillies series.
“Tuesday, he’ll throw three to four innings in a simulated game to our guys. The hope is that if that goes well, be active the weekend,” Roberts said.
Urías’ imminent return will likely bump one of Michael Grove or Noah Syndergaard out of the Dodgers rotation. Grove has Minor League options remaining, while a move involving Syndergaard could range from a demotion to the bullpen to potentially being designated for assignment.
“I think that conversation is going to happen, but obviously we know right now that Michael is taking the start today and we’ll see what happens next,” Roberts said prior to the Dodgers’ matchup against the New York Yankees on Saturday.
“Outside of that, it’s going to be Tony on Tuesday, then Noah and Clayton. Once we get to that point, obviously we’re going to have to make some decisions.”
Grove then went out and tied a career high with seven strikeouts, but did surrender two home runs to Jake Bauers in the Dodgers’ loss.
Julio Urías looking to get back on track
Urías last pitched in the Dodgers’ series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, allowing six runs on six hits, including four home runs, over just three innings.
Overall this season, the left-hander is 5-4 with a 4.39 ERA, 5.32 FIP and 1.16 WHIP in 10 starts. He is due to become a free agent at the end of the season.
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