One of the biggest surprises for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season has been rookie starting pitcher Ross Stripling, as he was not even in the conversation to make the Major League roster at the beginning of Spring Training.
Not only did he earn the fifth starter job out of camp, but Stripling has been one of first-year manager Dave Roberts’ most reliable arms all season. Stripling has thrown 97 innings in 21 games (14 starts), going 4-8 with a 3.99 ERA, 3.99 FIP and 1.28 WHIP.
With potential postseason games around the corner, the Dodgers are likely to face multiple roster decisions, particularly within their starting rotation.
At this point there isn’t much clarity beyond Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill and Kenta Maeda being locks. What is apparent, however, is that Stripling may not crack the rotation come the postseason.
“There’s nothing set but where we’re at with Ross, he’s a guy that can be a long reliever,” Roberts said this week.
“The thing I like about Ross is in either a starting or [bullpen] role, he has different weapons to get hitters out; lefty or righty. I think he can throw a strike when he needs to. When you’re playing in October and it gets hot and stressful, you still have to have confidence to execute a pitch.”
Brett Anderson returned Thursday and Scott Kazmir was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list on Friday. Brandon McCarthy is also expected to be reinstated from the DL in the coming days.
Stripling owns a 2.11 ERA in 21.1 innings over seven appearances as a reliever this season. He answered the bell again Friday, filling in for an injured Scott Kazmir, and throwing three scoreless innings.
