The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned Julio Urias to Triple-A Oklahoma City the day after he made his Major League debut against the New York Mets at Citi Field, and selected the contract of Casey Fien. Outfielder James Ramsey was designated for assignment to clear room for Fien on the 40-man roster.
Urias labored through 2.2 innings on Friday night, allowing three runs, with four walks and three strikeouts. He flashed good velocity and predictably battled the shaky command that comes with a young pitcher making his first career start in the Majors.
Urias became the youngest the youngest Dodgers starting pitcher since Dick Calmus in August 1963, and youngest reliever in franchise history since Fernando Valenzuela pitched out of the bullpen in 1980.
What’s more, the heralded lefty is the youngest to pitch in the Majors since Felix Hernandez made his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2005. Heading into Urias’ outing, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman would not declare what was ahead for the left-hander.
Friedman left open the possibility of placing Urias in the bullpen, but questioned if that was the best course of action due the unfamiliarity the 19 year old has with the routine of a relief pitcher.
Urias returns to Oklahoma City with a 4-1 record over eight games (seven starts), and Pacific Coast League-leading 1.10 ERA and 0.78 WHIP. What’s more, he’s tallied 44 strikeouts to eight walks, and has a streak of 27 consecutive scoreless innings.
The Dodgers claimed Fien off waivers on May 7 and optioned him to Oklahoma City two days later. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A, removing him from the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
Fien posted a 7.90 ERA, 6.74 FIP and 1.76 WHIP in 14 relief appearances with the Twins this season. He fell victim to the longball, allowing five home runs over 13.2 innings pitched. However, Fien’s 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings is his highest average since 2013.
Last season, Fien had a 3.55 ERA, 3.45 FIP and 1.09 WHIP over 62 games (63.1 innings pitched). Minnesota primarily used him as a setup man from 2013-15, but Fien had since been relegated to middle and long relief.
He had a 5.87 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, two walks and nine strikeouts in six games (7.2 innings) with Oklahoma City.
