Major League Baseball rosters are set to expand from 25 to 40 on Sept. 1, and perhaps no team will benefit more from that than the Los Angeles Dodgers, because of their organizational depth.
Among the players that likely will be called up are outfielder Alex Verdugo, who has spent some time at the big league level this season, catcher Kyle Farmer, as well as a handful of pitchers that are either injured or currently with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
In particular, Josh Fields and Julio Urias. The former is currently in the process of completing a rehab assignment. Meanwhile, Urias recently finished his, was activated off the 60-day disabled list and optioned to High-A Rancho Cucamonga.
Fields has not pitched for the Dodgers since June 26 due to shoulder inflammation, and Urias has been out for over a year while recovering from last season’s shoulder surgery.
Both are getting close to returning, but it will not be until rosters expand at the beginning of September, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Josh Fields won’t return until Sept. 1.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 25, 2018
Roberts said Julio Urias will be a September callup.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 25, 2018
Urias pitched two hitless innings, complete with two walks and four strikeouts in his start for the Quakes on Monday. Including rehab assignments with the Arizona League Dodgers and Quakes, it was his sixth start this year.
Fields was transferred to the 60-day disabled list in a corresponding move to reinstating Urias and optioning him. The procedural move did not have any impact on when the right-hander could or may rejoin the Dodgers.
The 33-year-old was one of their best relievers before going down, as he posted a 2.36 ERA, 3.82 FIP and 0.93 WHIP in 37 games.
With the Dodgers bullpen struggling as greatly as it has in recent weeks, they will gladly welcome both Fields and Urias back with open arms. Considering he hasn’t pitched in the big leagues in over a year though, it will likely take some time before Urias sees high-leverage innings.
