Despite only throwing 79 pitches against the Chicago Cubs last week, Brandon McCarthy was removed after just six shutout innings. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained postgame the right-hander was suffering from knee tendinitis.
McCarthy underwent an MRI on his right knee, which did not reveal any additional injury. Both he and Roberts classified the issue as minor, and McCarthy was expected to continue pitching on schedule.
The 33-year-old made his scheduled start in Thursday’s series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals. However, McCarthy lasted only four innings and 85 pitches.
According to Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA, the early removal in some part was due to a blister on McCarthy’s right index finger:
Right index finger blister, part of reason for McCarthy's exit after 4 IP. #Dodgers
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) June 1, 2017
Prior to being pinch-hit for by Franklin Gutierrez in the fifth inning, McCarthy allowed two runs on seven hits. The damage came in somewhat deflating fashion — an Adam Wainwright two-run home run with two outs in the second inning.
Wainwright threw six shutout innings and was backed by a Cardinals bullpen that did the same, upholding the early home run.
It’s unclear if the blister will be an issue moving forward, or if it will cause McCarthy to miss any time. The Dodgers of course are all-too-familiar in dealing with such an issue since trading for Rich Hill last season.
On the season, McCarthy is now 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in nine starts.
