When the Los Angeles Dodgers placed Walker Buehler on the 10-day injured list for a second time because of a blister on his right index finger, it created some uncertainty for Sunday’s game against the Houston Astros.
With L.A. keeping their starting rotation on its regular rest for the first time this season, Buehler was aligned to start the series finale at Dodger Stadium. Tony Gonsolin figured to fill the void, though he threw five innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
That was presumed to be in response to Dustin May having to come out after one inning because of being struck in his left foot by a comebacker. Though, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed the team committed to having Gonsolin pitch Thursday once Buehler was placed on the IL.
Julio Urias is scheduled to start Saturday, and for now the Dodgers are expected to rely on a bullpen game the following night. “Just kind of understanding the opponent and seeing what we have available, we certainly have options. But any kind of substantial length, probably not, so I guess you can kind of put it under a bullpen day category,” Roberts said.
With Buehler, Gonsolin and May out of the equation, the Dodgers are a bit thin on starting pitchers. Josiah Gray and Mitch White are at the team’s alternate training site.
“Yeah, there’s some guys,” Roberts acknowledged of potential candidates to recall from USC. “We have some guys, but it’s still about getting outs and who we feel is best to get those 27 outs. We have a couple guys at the alternate, but I still think the starter is going to come from our current roster.”
Caleb Ferguson, who served as an opener for the in the second game of a doubleheader against the San Francisco Giants, could reprise that role. No matter how it unfolds, it could prove somewhat challenging considering the workload the Dodgers bullpen has shouldered of late.
Pederson back, Turner likely out
The Dodgers reinstated Joc Pederson from the paternity list on Friday, but aren’t expecting to have Justin Turner return for the Astros series. Roberts suggested Turner was more likely to be activated off the IL early next week.
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