The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Alex Wood from the disabled list and are expected to activate Brett Anderson on Thursday. That will leave Scott Kazmir and Brandon McCarthy among those expected, or hopeful, to make a return this season.
McCarthy threw a simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, completing five innings worth of work and throwing roughly 75 pitches. He faced Austin Barnes, Charlie Culberson and Rob Segedin.
“The fastball command was very good, I saw a lot of swing-and-miss,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“We’ll see how he feels [Wednesday]. At that point in time if he feels well, we’ll figure out what role makes sense for us and him,” the rookie manager added.
McCarthy’s work comes on the heels of multiple simulated games thrown at Camelback Ranch during the past week to 10 days. He was dogged by hip trouble and command issues prior to landing on the disabled list with right hip stiffness on Aug. 14.
Unlike Anderson and Kazmir, McCarthy was not sent out on a rehab assignment prior to the Minor League season ending. And despite missing over one month, there remains the possibility the right-hander will be inserted back into the starting rotation.
“[Using McCarthy as a starter] is a thought. But we’ve got some guys who are competent, so we’ve got to talk through it more,” Roberts said. “If Brandon feels well, then obviously talks will continue. But yeah, that’s some of the conversation. I know he wants to start.”
McCarthy went 2-2 with a 3.63 ERA, 3.95 FIP and 1.27 WHIP in eight starts upon returning from Tommy John surgery. He was 2-0 with a 1.61 ERA in his first four starts prior to the hip injury that led to struggles.
McCarthy walked 17 batters in 12.1 innings in his past four starts. Included in that was setting a career high with five walks on Aug. 2, which the 33-year-old then matched in two ensuing starts.
