For all the pitching depth the Los Angeles Dodgers accumulated during the offseason, they were left in a difficult position as injuries forced multiple starters to the disabled list. With Hyun-Jin Ryu’s recovery from last season’s shoulder operation, and Brett Anderson undergoing surgery for a bulging disk in his back, the Dodgers were left to fill a void.
The club eventually settled on Mike Bolsinger, only for him to be scratched from a scheduled start due to a strained oblique on March 20 — the same day he was anointed the fifth starter. The right-hander won out against Brandon Beachy and Zach Lee.
Despite a traditional timetable suggesting otherwise, Bolsinger expressed confidence he’d make a quick recovery. However, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said he didn’t expect the 28 year old to be part of the starting rotation come Opening Day of the 2016 season.
Friedman’s comments held true as Bolsinger was one of 10 players who began the year on the DL. According to Andy McCullough of the LA Times, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Bolsinger isn’t close to returning:
Mike Bolsinger is "a long ways off," Dave Roberts said. Still only playing catch.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) April 9, 2016
Bolsinger was 6-6 with a 3.62 ERA, 3.91 FIP and 1.36 WHIP in 21 starts with the Dodgers last season. This spring, he allowed a combined two runs on five hits and issued three walks while striking out six batters in nine innings pitched over three games (one start).
With Bolsinger on the shelf, Ross Stripling was named the Dodgers’ fifth starter. Stripling made his Major League debut against the San Francisco Giants on Friday night, and was removed with a no-hitter intact after throwing 100 pitches in 7.1 innings
