Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Kenta Maeda will make a spot start Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for the purpose of providing the rotation with an extra day of rest.
Maeda started on June 18 for the same purpose. “I want to keep guys current and on other side, giving the other guys an extra day makes sense,” Roberts said. The change bumps Hyun-Jin Ryu to Wednesday, and he’ll be followed throughout the week by Alex Wood, Clayton Kershaw and Brandon McCarthy.
The Dodgers are in the midst of playing 20 games in 20 days, which concludes Sunday, July 2, in the finale of a three-game series at Petco Park.
Maeda last pitched on Friday, throwing a scoreless inning of relief against the Colorado Rockies. “Over the last three appearances he’s throwing the baseball really well,” Roberts said.
Prior to facing the Reds in the aforementioned spot start, Maeda had last pitched out of the bullpen nine days prior when he converted a four-inning save.
On the year he’s 5-3 with a 4.62 ERA, 4.15 FIP and 1.19 WHIP in 13 games (11 starts). While Maeda has fared well since moving to the bullpen, which was called a temporary change, Roberts has not stated when the right-hander would reclaim his spot in the rotation.
Working in Maeda’s favor is some of the Dodgers’ depth was washed away with news Julio Urias is set to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.
