The Los Angeles Dodgers are calling on Julio Urias once more, with manager Dave Roberts announcing the young southpaw will start Saturday against the Chicago Cubs. Roberts also said Kenta Maeda will start Monday’s series opener at Coors Field.
For Urias, Saturday will be his third turn in the rotation since being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier this month. He’s coming off arguably his best start of the season, throwing six shutout innings with six strikeouts against the Cincinnati Reds.
In five August games, he’s 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA and 14 strikeouts over 16.2 innings pitched.
The Dodgers intended to utilize Urias as a longer reliever after the All-Star break but recurring injuries have forced the club to alter those plans.
In 13 games (11 starts) this season, Urias is 4-2 with a 3.95 ERA, 100 ERA+, 3.32 FIP, 1.53 WHIP and 62 strikeouts over 57 innings pitched.
Including time with Oklahoma City, he’s thrown a career-high 102 innings.
With Maeda pushed back to Monday it marks a second consecutive start in which he takes the mound with an additional day of rest. He was technically “optioned” Rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers on Friday.
Their season ends Sunday, which allow the Dodgers to recall him in time for the scheduled start against the Colorado Rockies.
The Dodgers have attempted to provide their starters with extra rest whenever possible, and have specifically done so with Maeda. He allowed four runs over 5.2 innings and collected his 10th win of the season the last time he faced the Rockies on the road.
After Friday’s loss in extra innings to the Cubs, Roberts announced Brock Stewart will start the series finale. Stewart was recalled from Oklahoma City on Friday and put in the bullpen as an emergency long reliever.
