The Los Angeles Dodgers went into their pivotal National League West showdown against the San Francisco Giants with David Price, Julio Urias and Walker Buehler scheduled to pitch in the series at Oracle Park.
However, the team announced Corey Knebel would instead make the start Friday night. The assumption was Price would again follow an opener, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed he was likely unavailable due to left elbow soreness.
Roberts added it was possible — arguably even likely — that Price would wind up on the 10-day injured list. The team didn’t make a roster move before the series opener and wound up using all perceived available pitchers during a walk-off loss to the Giants in 11 innings.
Had the Dodgers managed to extend the game, Price would have taken the mound after all. “He felt better, I saw him play catch in right field. He’s still active,” Roberts said.
“Evan was going to go another inning, potentially, and David had his spikes on. Being the teammate that he is, he was getting ready to go out there for the 13th.”
Despite using 10 pitchers after Knebel went two innings as an opener, the Dodgers aren’t expected to make any changes in the bullpen on Saturday.
“I think we’re going to stay the course,” Roberts said. “Looking at our leverage guys, outside of Corey, everyone should be available so we’re going to keep the roster as is.”
Price’s injury not serious
Part of keeping Price on the active roster is the Dodgers’ belief that his elbow trouble is not serious.
“It’s nothing that’s going to be a big deal, but it’s just making sure we don’t let it become one,” Roberts said. “If it is an IL it would be a short-term deal.”
Price has been dealing with the issue for a decent stretch and it became more pronounced after his last outing against the Colorado Rockies.
“If you look at the last couple starts, the velocity was down, so just to reset him a little bit,” Roberts said. “You look at what David did last year versus what he’s done this year, it’s a lot as far as workload.
“So to give him a breather, get him back, get some of that soreness out, he should be fine.”
Roberts had previously noted the Dodgers were mindful of what Price was being asked to do this season after not participating in the 2020 campaign.
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