In a pair of procedural moves, the Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Julio Urias from the 60-day disabled list and optioned him to High-A Rancho Cucamonga. Meanwhile, Josh Fields was transferred to the 60-day DL in order to create room for Urias on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
The paper move was made out of necessity as Urias was approaching the 30-day maximum that’s permitted for a Minor League rehab assignment under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. He began the stretch with the Arizona League Dodgers, making two starts.
Urias then started three games for the Quakes, and is scheduled to take the mound Monday night.
He pitched to a combined 5.19 ERA to go along with 15 strikeouts and two walks over 8.2 innings during his rehab assignment.
With the option to Rancho Cucamonga, Urias is not eligible to join the Dodgers until Monday, Sept. 3, unless he replaces an injured player on the active roster. Whenever he joins the club, it will be as an option out of the bullpen for manager Dave Roberts.
As for Fields, the roster move is not indicative of his timeline. He’s been on the disabled list since June 28 because of right shoulder inflammation.
Fields, who is currently on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, could technically be reinstated and join the Dodgers on Monday. However, he’s not expected to return to the Majors until active rosters expand in September.
The Dodgers will need to make a corresponding move on their 40-man roster once they decide to activate Fields.
