Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Brandon McCarthy’s 2016 debut will come Sunday in a start against the Colorado Rockies. McCarthy, currently on the 60-day disabled list, underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2015.
His return to the rotation pushes Julio Urias’ back to Monday, and presumably will spell the end of Brock Stewart’s time up with the Dodgers. Los Angeles will need to make at least one corresponding move to get McCarthy on the 40-man and active rosters.
The right-hander tossed 13.2 innings and allowed eight runs (seven earned) over four rehab starts. McCarthy started two games for High-A Rancho Cucamonga, joined Triple-A Oklahoma City for one outing, and returned to the Quakes for a final assignment.
“He’s full go. We kind of sped it up a little bit, because of circumstances,” Roberts said on Friday. “Brandon is excited about getting back. We expect him to pitch well. He’s ready to get as many outs as he can.”
McCarthy will start for the Dodgers on five days’ rest. “In talking to Brandon and seeing where he’s at, and with our trade, things kind of fell in line with [McCarthy’s] start date,” Roberts said. “This is the best option we have.”
McCarthy went 3-0 with a 5.87 ERA over four starts before undergoing the season-ending surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow. He signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Dodgers in December 2014
As for Hyun-Jin Ryu, he started for the Quakes on Friday and allowed two runs on five hits over six innings. He had three strikeouts to zero walks, and shook off being struck by a line drive on his shin in the fifth inning. Roberts indicated the club will meet in the coming days to discuss the next course of action for the southpaw.
