When Andrew Heaney worked his way back from a first left shoulder strain this season, he completed a rehab assignment that was comprised of a combined three starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City and Double-A Tulsa.
Heaney went 0-1 with a 0.73 ERA, 0.57 WHIP and held opponents to a .143 batting average in those outings. His second left shoulder strain is considered more mild, but Heaney nevertheless was projected to miss upwards of five turns through the rotation after being put on the 15-day injured list June 24.
After successful bullpen sessions and facing live batters in a simulated game, the southpaw joined Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday for the start of a rehab assignment. It didn’t go well, as Heaney threw 48 pitches over 2.2 innings.
He allowed four runs on six hits, including two homers. Prior to Heaney struggling through his outing, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he would make at least one more rehab start.
That timeline suggests Heaney would not possibly come off the IL until Tuesday, July 26, if kept on a five-day schedule.
Roberts added the Dodgers had not yet decided on a rotation order after the All-Star break, but Mitch White is likely to face the San Francisco Giants in the first game of the second half. How the rest of the rotation unfolds will depend on All-Star Game usage.
Dodgers starting rotation without Heaney
Despite not having Heaney or Walker Buehler, the Dodgers’ starting rotation has forged ahead with Tony Gonsolin finishing the first half 11-0 and Tyler Anderson taking only one loss. Julio Urías and Clayton Kershaw have put together strong campaigns as well.
For Heaney’s spot specifically, White has settled into a rhythm that’s come with making regular starts.
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