For as much planning and collecting of pitching depth the Los Angeles Dodgers front office did during the offseason, it was quickly thrown awry by a multitude of injuries during Spring Training.
On top of Brett Anderson, Brandon Beachy and Mike Bolsinger sustaining injury, Hyun-Jin Ryu’s recovery from last May’s shoulder surgery stalled on multiple occasions. That’s delayed his return, though the southpaw is now in the midst of a rehab assignment.
While the Dodgers now have the services of Bolsinger, Anderson and Brandon McCarthy, expected contributors this season, remain out. McCarthy recently suffered a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which pushed back the beginning of a rehab assignment.
The Dodgers’ collective struggles in the rotation and bullpen has led to calls for top pitching prospect Julio Urias to get promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the club discussed that possibility earlier this month, though the likelihood of such a move appears to have diminished. That’s certainly not an indictment on Urias, however.
Dodgers general manager recently praised the young southpaw for the season he’s already put together with Oklahoma City, via Bill Plunkett of the OC Register:
“There’s a lot to get excited about but I think everyone thought there was still things to work on. Did we think he was going to check all those boxes in 45 days? Not necessarily but it’s certainly impressive what he’s done down there.”
Urias is 4-1 with a 1.10 ERA and 0.78 WHIP in eight games (seven starts) this season. Opponents are batting .176/.228/.257, and Urias has 44 strikeouts to eight eight walks over 41 innings pitched.
His ERA and WHIP leads the Pacific Coast League, and Urias is in the midst of streak of 27 scoreless innings. Prior to Urias’ past start, Oklahoma City pitching coach Matt Herges stated the 19 year old was ready to make his Major League debut.
The Dodgers have carefully monitored Urias’ workload, as he’s yet to exceed six innings pitched in a single outing. Urias is expected to join the Dodgers this season, though when that is largely remains a mystery.
