Julio Urias continued his Spring Training progression on Friday with four scoreless innings against the Texas Rangers, marking his longest outing of the year. The Los Angeles Dodgers have yet to publicly confirm as much, but Urias appears to have a spot in the Opening Day rotation.
His performance against the Rangers was a positive bounce-back effort after Urias labored some his last time out. Sloppy defense behind him didn’t aid matters, but Urias also struggled to put batters away in his 2.1 innings of work against the Kansas City Royals last Sunday.
Part of Urias only allowing two hits to the Rangers was a byproduct of having command of a slurve he began incorporating last season. “I kind of got rid of that overhand, 12-to-6 curveball, and kind of made it a little bit of a slurve,” Urias explained.
“Ever since last year it’s been a really good and effective pitch for me. … I can change it up a little bit, obviously, from the spot and location, but that is my curveball now. It’s more of a slurve instead of a traditional slider or overhand curve.”
While Urias had been throwing both a curveball and slider in the Majors, he first developed the slurve while in the Minors, where he became “really comfortable” with it. “Talking with the coaching staff and even the catchers, the catchers will tell you what’s an effective pitch or what’s working on any given night,” Urias added.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is not fully aware of what prompted the change, but he is pleased with the effectiveness of the pitch and how it compliments Urias’ arsenal. “I like it. It’s just something that gets guys off the fastball,” Roberts said.
“He can strike it, I like the shape of it, he can put that ball in the ground if he wants to. I like it. His changeup has really come since the middle of last year too.”
Nelson vying for Opening Day roster
Roberts recently indicated the Dodgers could begin the season with 13 pitchers on their active roster, but that it was not a number they are beholden to. Considering L.A. opens the 2021 campaign at Coors Field, an additional pitcher could be useful.
Whatever the Dodgers ultimately settle on, Jimmy Nelson figures to be part of the pitching staff even if he may not be fully stretched out as a starter. “I see him going three innings his next time, so the buildup will continue,” Roberts said.
“And he does not be a starter to make our club.”
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