Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Brandon McCarthy is scheduled to come off the disabled list and start Saturday in the second of a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals.
Roberts previously voiced an expectation McCarthy would make a quick return when he was put on the DL on June 26 due to tendinitis in his right knee. It’s an issue he’s battled throughout the year, but the roster move came one day after McCarthy uncorked three wild pitches in a start against the Colorado Rockies.
When the right-hander wasn’t firing the ball to the backstop, he struggled to locate the strike zone. McCarthy’s three innings of work marked his shortest start of the year.
He and Dodgers manager maintained the rough outing was not akin to the troubles that derailed McCarthy last season. That was validated in some regard with a successful four-inning simulated game the 33-year-old threw Monday with High-A Rancho Cucamonga.
On the season he’s 6-3 with a 3.25 ERA, 3.19 FIP and 1.11 WHIP in 13 starts.
With McCarthy slated to take the mound Saturday, the Dodgers have their probable starters for the remainder of their five games prior to the All-Star break.
Alex Wood and Rich Hill will start Wednesday and Thursday, with Kenta Maeda, McCarthy and Clayton Kershaw scheduled to face the Royals.
