The Los Angeles Dodgers’ ballyhooed pitching depth is going to get an early test this season with Brett Anderson, Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu expected to be on the disabled list come Opening Day.
That was expected with McCarthy, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, and was already placed on the 60-day DL. He’s hopeful to make two starts prior to the 2016 All-Star Game. Meanwhile, Ryu is targeting a return at some point in May, as he continues to work his way back from shoulder surgery.
The left-hander last threw off a mound Feb. 26 and has been temporarily shut down since due to shoulder discomfort. The Dodgers have maintained Ryu’s inactivity is not considered a setback.
Anderson’s arthroscopic back surgery, the second of his career, calls for a three-to-five-month recovery. His loss places further strain on a rotation that was already searching for a fifth starter in place of Ryu.
With Anderson now unable to make his scheduled start on Sunday against the San Francisco Giants, that is expected to go to Zach Lee, per Jon Weisman of Dodger Insider:
Zach Lee most likely to start Sunday, Dave Roberts says.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) March 4, 2016
Lee made his Major-League debut last season as he was one of the multiple spot-starters the Dodgers called on. He tossed 4.2 innings and allowed seven runs on 11 hits in a bad-luck start against the New York Mets at Citi Field.
Prior to that, Lee missed all of June due to poor circulation in the middle finger of his right hand. In 19 starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City last season, he finished 11-6 with a 2.70 ERA and 1.11 WHIP.
A former high school quarterback, Lee recently said he has not completely ruled out dropping baseball in pursuit of a football career. The 24 year old is 2-1 with a 5.14 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in eight career Cactus League games (three starts).
Lee appeared in three Spring Training games last year, including one start, and allowed three runs on six hits while tallying seven strikeouts to two walks in 9.1 innings pitched. He is expected to be one of the pitchers whom the Dodgers consider for their fifth starter.
