The Los Angeles Dodgers made it clear since being eliminated from the 2016 National League Championship Series that young left-hander Julio Urias would be on an innings limit during the 2017 season. The same protection was in place last year, though navigating that became difficult.
The 20-year-old began the spring preparing like any other starter, but was shutdown for a couple days due to strep throat. Time missed, coupled with short appearances in Cactus League games led to Urias falling further behind other starting pitchers.
When the season began Urias remained at Camelback Ranch for extended Spring Training. From there he went to Triple-A Oklahoma City to begin preparing to make starts in the Majors.
After speculation lent to it being the case, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Urias will make his 2017 debut by starting Thursday in the four-game series finale against the San Francisco Giants, per David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio:
Dave Roberts makes it official that Julio Urias will start on Thursday. #Dodgers
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) April 26, 2017
In three starts with OKC, Urias looked as good as advertised, as he gave up just eight hits and three runs in 14 innings of work (1.93 ERA). Urias making Thursday’s start means that the team will go with a six-man rotation for the time being.
Kenta Maeda, who was originally slated to face the Giants, is now pushed back to Friday. He’ll face the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a six-game homestand. Roberts previously hinted Maeda’s immediate future in the rotation was on shaky ground.
Last season Urias pitched in 18 games (15 starts) with the Dodgers. He went 5-2 with a 3.39 ERA, 3.17 FIP and 1.46 WHIP while striking out 84 and walking 31 in 77 innings.
The reason for holding Urias back at the outset of the season was to ensure he’s available for the Dodgers’ playoff run, as he was last year, should they qualify.
Urias twice faced the Giants last season, making one start. He allowed a combined seven hits and three runs in 7.1 innings of work, with one walk and eight strikeouts.
