A rash of injuries within the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation opened the door for prospects Gavin Stone and Bobby Miller to make starts at the big league level earlier tan most would have anticipated this season.
Stone was on the mound for the Dodgers in the series opener against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, and despite some early struggles, managed to pitch into the fifth inning.
Miller made his MLB debut in the second game of the series and had a more impressive performance, holding the Braves to just one run over five innings en route to earning a win. Miller retired nine of the final 10 batters faced and regularly hit triple digits with his fastball.
While manager Dave Roberts had already indicated Stone would make multiple starts as he fills in for Dustin May, he now confirmed Miller is going to take at least one more turn in the Dodgers rotation as well, via SportsNet LA:
“Right now with Bobby and Gavin, we know Bobby will make another start and Gavin’s got some runway as well. So we’ll just kind of see start to start. I think that’s probably the safest way to go.”
Miller is filling in Julio Urías, who went on the 15-day injured list last week due to a left hamstring strain. The left-hander will test his injury by throwing a bullpen session this weekend and could be activated during the Dodgers’ upcoming homestand.
Even if Urías returns on the first day he is eligible — June 3 — it’s plausible Miller could receive additional opportunities with the Dodgers if they look to manage Stone’s workload, or should Noah Syndergaard again have trouble with the blister/cut on his right index finger or struggle to generate some consistency.
Dodgers’ message to Bobby Miller for MLB debut
Prior to making his MLB debut against the Braves, Roberts assured Miller that he belongs in the Majors and to stay within himself. Miller joined Stone and Michael Busch as Dodgers rookies to make their big league debuts thus far in 2023.
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