Throughout the offseason and much of camp the Los Angeles Dodgers spoke in general terms when discussing the plan for Julio Urias this season. Seemingly the only guarantee is the young left-hander will again be on an innings limit.
Any of three scenarios pertaining to Urias are equally plausible. He could remain in extended Spring Training, open the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, or be part of the Dodgers’ Opening Day rotation.
What is a certainty, however, is that Urias will not travel with Adrian Gonzalez, Sergio Romo and Alex Verdugo to join Team Mexico for the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Not yet, at least.
Urias was included in Mexico’s designated pitcher pool, meaning he could be added to their active roster should Mexico advance beyond the first round.
According to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times, not being permitted to represent his country brings sadness for Urias:
“I can’t lie to you. I do feel a little sad,” Urias said through an interpreter Sunday. “I do feel as if I wish I could have gone.
“It’s the decision of the team and I have to respect it, at least for the first round, and then see what they decide for the second round.”
“Obviously, [Urias] is a pitcher everyone wants to see on the roster,” Team Mexico manager Edgar Gonzalez said on the afternoon of announcing the roster. “It came down to a decision between him and the team that he isn’t ready to throw yet.”
Mexico opens 2017 WBC play against Italy on March 9 at Estadio Charros de Jalisco in Guadalajara. Should they advance, second-round games will be played March 14-19. Dodger Stadium will host the WBC semifinals and final March 20-22.
In addition to Gonzalez, Romo and Verdugo, Ike Davis (Israel), Kiké Hernandez (Puerto Rico) and Rob Segedin (Italy) are slated to participate in the WBC. Kenley Jansen was named to Netherland’s pitcher pool, and former Dodgers reliever Vidal Nuño is also on the Mexico roster.
While Urias remains with the Dodgers in Spring Training, he’s slated for another start on Friday.
