After the numerous injuries the Los Angeles Dodgers have dealt with throughout Spring Training, their best-laid plans for the starting rotation were thrown out the window. First-year manager Dave Roberts conceded at one point the growing list of injuries was lending to some frustration setting in.
However, Roberts also added he did not want the injuries to become a distraction for his club, with the regular season on the verge of beginning. With the Dodgers still searching for a fifth starter, Ross Stripling entered the picture on Tuesday.
While the right-hander initially wasn’t a perceived candidate to fill the role a few weeks back, Roberts acknowledged Stripling was now part of the conversation, though Carlos Frias and Zach Lee remained the primary candidates.
Up until Tuesday, Stripling had only made three relief appearances. He tossed a combined six scoreless innings, allowing one hit and totaling six strikeouts to three walks. He allowed five runs on seven hits in five innings of work against the San Diego Padres in his start.
Although the numbers suggest a rough outing for the 26 year old, Roberts was pleased with the start and said Stripling remains a candidate for the fifth starter job, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“Ross threw the ball well,” said Roberts. “His line score could have been a lot different. His breaking ball was good, his changeup, the fastball command, it was a lot better than the line score. He furthered the discussion; I don’t think he really hurt himself.”
Stripling said he was pleased with his overall body of work during Spring Training:
“For me, it’s a matter of proving to the front office, the coaching staff, that I’m healthy and ready to go, to throw 140 innings. I think I was able to achieve that this Spring, make a name for myself and prove to everybody I’m ready to rock.”
The Dodgers’ fifth-round pick in the 2012 draft put together four strong innings in which he allowed just one run — a Jon Jay solo homer — before the wheels came off in the fifth. Stripling gave up another home run to Jay, a two-run shot, and a two-run homer to Wil Myers before completing his day’s work.
Aside from falling victim to the long ball, one positive is Stripling recorded five strikeouts and only walked one batter.
The Dodgers will first need a fifth starter on April 8 — their fifth game of the season — but off days on April 11 and April 18 allow them some flexibility to rotate between carrying a fifth pitcher and extra position player on and off the roster, just as they did early last season.
