After injuries depleted their rotation depth, the Los Angeles Dodgers selected Ross Stripling as the fifth starter at the outset of the 2016 season. Stripling, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2014, began the year on an unspecified innings limit.
The organization has handled top pitching prospects Jose De Leon and Julio Urias in similar fashion. De Leon remained in extended Spring Training and didn’t report to Triple-A Oklahoma City until May.
Missing the first month was a two-fold scenario as De Leon was dealing with a minor ankle injury. De Leon then missed more time after his first start due to shoulder soreness.
Urias has been moved in and out of the rotation, and to and from Oklahoma City. The Dodgers have turned several pitchers as a means to keep some semblance of a rotation.
Brock Stewart has been part of that constant shuffle. He began the season with High-A Rancho Cucamonga and made stops in Double-A Tulsa and Oklahoma City before taking the mound for his Major League debut.
Having last pitched Sept. 7, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Stewart is nearing his innings limit, via Time Warner Cable SportsNet LA:
“He’s getting close, but I think his velocity and stuff seems to be holding. There’s obviously talk of an innings limit with a lot of our young guys. He’s getting close, but I still think there’s certainly some innings for him to log this season.”
Stewart is 1-2 with a 6.55 ERA, 5.87 FIP, 1.73 WHIP and 19 strikeouts in 22 innings over five games (four starts) with the Dodgers. He went a combined 9-4 with a 1.79 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 129 strikeouts in 21 starts in the Minors.
Stewart has thrown a combined 143 innings (121 in Minors; 22 in Majors), which is a career high. He threw 101 innings during time split with Low-A Great Lakes and the Quakes last season. The 24-year-old is again being inserted into the rotation and will start Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Roberts explained the club was holding the right-hander back in the event he was needed to replace an injured Clayton Kershaw or Rich Hill. Stewart taking the start sends Bud Norris back to the bullpen.
Whereas it’s believed circumstances may dictate De Leon and Urias both make the Dodgers’ potential playoff roster, Stewart appears likely to remain with the club until the regular season concludes.
