When Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers and catchers reported to Camelback Ranch for the start of Spring Training, there essentially were six candidates vying for the final two spots in the Opening Day rotation.
Though, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman previously suggested Julio Urias was likely to be part of the equation. That sentiment has been reiterated throughout camp, most recently by manager Dave Roberts.
So it’s left Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, Jimmy Nelson, Ross Stripling and Alex Wood to compete for the final spot in the rotation. Wood has long considered it his, but the Dodgers have yet to give any such assurance — at least publicly.
Meanwhile, it appears May is fading from the competition as he has been unable to throw off a mound because of his lingering side injury, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
#Dodgers Dustin May has yet to throw off a mound since experiencing soreness in his left side after a bullpen session in first days of camp. Played long toss out to 120 feet but didn't feel great afterwards. Shut down temporarily.
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 26, 2020
Nelson was also slowed by a minor groin issue over recent weeks but he rebounded to resume throwing bullpen sessions.
Barring a surprise, May appears primed to begin the 2020 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Of course, that was shaping to be the likely outcome anyhow. Despite the Dodgers committing to Wood, he does figure to have the inside track on completing the rotation.
Thus, May’s outlook of making the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster would likely need to come as a member of the bullpen. However, Roberts indicated the club isn’t considering that possibility.
“I don’t see the bullpen role out of camp,” he said over the weekend. “Anything can happen, things can change, but obviously we view him as a starter. We’re going to continue to build him up as a starter. I just don’t see it making a whole lot of sense, as a young player, to put him in the ‘pen out of camp.
“We understand he’s done some really good things for us. We’re just encouraging Dustin to control what he can control. Right now it’s get healthy, get on the mound and build up that pitch count.”
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