After having the 2017 season cut short due to shoulder surgery and the following year delayed because of the recovery process, Julio Urias reported to Spring Training this year looking to force his way into the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation.
The Dodgers opened camp with their presumed starters in place: Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Kenta Maeda and Rich Hill. However, Kershaw went through a stretch where he was temporarily shut down due to inflammation in his left shoulder, and the Dodgers have slow-played Buehler.
With the door potentially open, Urias has certainly made his case to be considered. He followed up a scoreless inning in his 2019 Cactus League debut with another strong outing.
Aside from allowing just a solo home run over two innings, Urias’ fastball touched 98 mph and he sat in the upper-90s.
.@theteenager7's out here throwing 98 mph. 😳 pic.twitter.com/ELk6z8m4S8
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 4, 2019
Urias has now retired nine of 10 batters faced this spring, including four via strikeout. The home run was the only baserunner allowed in three innings pitched.
Although the odds may be stacked against him, Urias is focused this spring on continuing to make a strong impression and possibly force the Dodgers hand into expanding his role earlier than anticipated.
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