UPDATE (May 16, 12:00 p.m. PT): Triple-A Oklahoma City placed Jose De Leon on the disabled list on Monday. De Leon hasn’t pitched in a game since making his 2016 debut on May 3, and wasn’t listed as a probable for upcoming games.
While plenty of injury updates are currently centered around rehabbing Major League pitchers, the Los Angeles Dodgers also have a noteworthy prospect in Jose De Leon who is on the mend.
De Leon’s 2016 campaign was delayed as he remained in extended Spring Training in part due to an ankle injury. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did indicate the organization planned to hold the right-hander back as a way to protect against De Leon’s workload this season.
The 23 year old eventually was added to the Triple-A Oklahoma City roster, and made his debut on May 3. De Leon tossed five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and finishing with nine strikeouts.
While his first career outing at the Triple-A level was by and large a success, De Leon came away from the start with arm soreness that’s forced him to be removed from the OKC rotation.
According to AM 570 LA Sports Radio DodgerTalk host David Vassegh, De Leon recently threw off flat ground without issue at the club’s Camelback Ranch Spring Training facility:
Jose DeLeon threw off flat ground today in AZ and felt fine. #Dodgers have innings limit on his season so no reason not to be cautious.
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) May 14, 2016
De Leon finished with a 2.99 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 163 strikeouts in 114.1 innings pitched over 23 starts in time split between High-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Tulsa last season. He was 2-6 with a 3.64 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 16 starts for the Drillers.
De Leon entered this season ranked among the top right-handed pitching prospects, and along with Julio Urias, one of the best duos in the Minors.
