The Los Angeles Dodgers rotation took a significant hit during spring with Brett Anderson undergoing back surgery and Hyun-Jin Ryu’s recovery from last May’s shoulder surgery hitting multiple snags.
Then when the Dodgers arrived on Mike Bolsinger as the fifth starter, he suffered an oblique strain while warming up for a Cactus League outing. He was reinstated last week and threw 4.1 innings, giving up three runs on seven hits while striking out two in a spot start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Bolsinger was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday and filled Ross Stripling’s spot in the rotation against the Cincinnati Reds. He turned in 5.2 innings of work, holding the Reds to two runs on three hits.
“I don’t know if it makes sense, but I felt like [facing the Angels] was my last Spring Training game,” Bolsinger said after earning the win. “I felt like I got over the hump [Tuesday] and am ready to go.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was also pleased with the right-hander’s outing. “I thought Mike was great, he did everything we expected,” Roberts said. “The breaking ball was good tonight, he got some swing-and-miss. For him to get to his pitch count and give us a chance to win, it was a positive (start).”
Roberts wasn’t ready to commit to what’s ahead for Bolsinger, but the rookie manager didn’t rule out another turn in the rotation. “As we look at the next four or five days, we’ll make that decision,” Roberts said. “He did a lot to give him that opportunity.”
Bolsinger believes he’s done enough to warrant a spot in the Dodgers’ rotation, but is accepting of any role asked of him. “I’m confident in whatever they want me to do, so my state of mind is go out there and help my team win the ballgame and I think I did that [Tuesday].”
