Julio Urias went through expected struggles a pitcher encounters as a rookie in the Majors. However, he eventually settled in and became one of the Los Angeles Dodgers top starters down the stretch of last season.
After beginning this season at extended Spring Training in order to limit his innings, Urias joined the Dodgers rotation at the end of April. He immediately picked up where he left off in 2016, allowing up just two runs in 17 innings through his first three starts.
However, Urias then began to struggle, in large part because of shaky command. That led to 13 runs allowed (12 earned) in just 6.1 innings pitched over two starts.
Those poor outings resulted in Urias being sent down to Triple-A Oklahoma City to continue to develop. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently explained why the young southpaw is not expected to make a quick return, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“To make the decision to send him to OKC, you really want to make sure he works things out,” Roberts said. “For him to repeat that over the course of three or four starts is what we’re looking for. … For Julio’s development it’s important.”
Roberts made his comments prior to some uncertainty setting in with Brandon McCarthy. The right-hander is suffering from a blister and was in danger of being scratched from a scheduled start on Tuesday.
But McCarthy threw a bullpen session without issue and is on track to take the mound. Had that not been the case, Urias was the likely candidate to fill in against the Washington Nationals.
The 20-year-old has found success in four starts with Oklahoma City this season, going 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. Urias allowed one run on six hits, and had four strikeouts in six innings in his first and only start since being sent back to OKC.
He was scheduled to start over the weekend but had the outing pushed back because of illness; McCarthy’s status may have factored into that decision as well.
