The Los Angeles Dodgers began the season with a five-man starting rotation and Justin Wrobleski in a piggyback role for their first time through.
Now having completed that, Wrobleski has been penciled into the rotation and is scheduled to start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. It’s going to represent Wrobleski’s first start of the year but second overall game.
Justin Wrobleski ready for Blue Jays fans
Wrobleski’s outing is taking place during a rematch of the 2025 World Series and comes with the added history of his exchange with Andrés Giménez after a hit by pitch during Game 7. Naturally, the left-hander is prepared to be on the receiving end of particularly harsh treatment at Rogers Centre.
“It’s going to be great,” Wrobleski said on SportsNet LA. “They’re going to boo me and it’s going to be really awesome. That’s what makes sports great, I think. If I were a Toronto fan, I’d probably wouldn’t like me either. So I completely understand. But yeah, it’s what’s cool about sports. The passion the fans have.
“I think what makes sports great is the passion that fans have for the tams. That’s kind of what makes you want to go out there every day and perform. It’s super cool. I’m super excited. It’s a great place to play. They really love baseball over there. It’s cool. I’m excited.”
Wrobleski threw two fastballs high and tight to Giménez before hitting him on a 2-2 count in the fateful Game 7. That came after Giménez appeared to stick his hand out in effort to get hit on the previous pitch.
Giménez and Wrobleski exchanged words, prompting both teams’ benches and bullpens to clear. Crew chief Mark Wegner issued warnings, but no players were ejected.
“He got mad that I hit him,” Wrobleski said after the Dodgers’ 5-4 win in 11 innings. “I wasn’t trying to hit him. He was trying to get hit, and then he got hit and proceeded to tell me whatever he told me.
“I’m not going to take disrespect like that. I’m going to ask him what his problem is. He said something and started walking to first base, and I’m not going to take that. Whatever. It is what it is. That’s part of the game. Crazy that it happened.
“I don’t think that’s ever happened to me in my career. I don’t think I’ve ever had someone do that to me, but whatever. It’s part of it.”
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