UPDATE (July 19, 4:15 p.m. PT): Los Angeles Dodgers pitching prospect Josiah Gray was with the team at Dodger Stadium on Monday and will make his MLB debut in the second game of the series against the San Francisco Giants.
Manager Dave Roberts said the team will start a left-handed opener and then have Gray pitch the majority of the game.
After taking two of three from the Colorado Rockies out of the All-Star break, the Los Angeles Dodgers now begin a stretch of playing seven games in 11 days against the National League West-leading San Francisco Giants
They do so still facing a crunch in their starting rotation as Trevor Bauer remains on administrative leave amid an investigation into alleged sexual assault, and Clayton Kershaw still on the 10-day injured list because of left forearm inflammation.
In using Julio Urias, Walker Buehler, David Price and Tony Gonsolin for the first four games after the break, Kershaw’s spot in the rotation comes up Tuesday. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the club is considering Josiah Gray, among others.
“I think we’re speaking internally about someone coming up,” Roberts said over the weekend. When asked about Gray specifically, Roberts answered, “He’s on the table.”
Roberts reiterated that stance when asked on Sunday if the Dodgers had decided on a starter to face the Giants in the second of a four-game series at Dodger Stadium.
“Right now it’s still TBD. We haven’t decided,” Roberts said. “Kind of seeing how today and [Monday] go, but [Gray is] certainly in the mix. I just can’t answer that.”
If the Dodgers are to decide on Gray for his MLB debut, they will need to make a move with the 40-man roster in addition to getting him among the active players.
If not Gray, the Dodgers conceivably could reinstate Edwin Uceta from the IL for another start. Mitch White, who is already on the 40-man roster, was potentially a candidate as well, but he started for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.
Dodgers planned to promote Gray
This is now the second time this season the Dodgers are considering calling up the organization’s top pitching prospect. They previously intended to do so after Dustin May underwent Tommy John surgery, which would have provided a reprieve during what turned into a string of bullpen games.
However, Gray suffered a right shoulder impingement that he only recently returned from.
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