The Los Angeles Dodgers reassigned Josiah Gray and Edwin Uceta to Minor League camp on Thursday, leaving 30 pitchers and 30 position players in the Major League clubhouse at Camelback Ranch.
Gray and Uceta were among the Dodgers’ 21 non-roster invitees to 2020 Spring Training announced in January. The group grew to include Terrance Gore when he was signed to a Minor League contract last month, and Tyler White after he cleared waivers upon being designated for assignment.
The Dodgers acquired Gray as part of their trade with the Cincinnati Reds in December 2018. He began last season with Low-A Great Lakes, earned a promotion to High-A Rancho Cucamonga and finished with Double-A Tulsa.
Gray was named the organization’s Branch Rickey Minor League Pitcher of the Year. He reported to Camelback Ranch as one of their top pitching prospects and continued to impress.
The 22-year-old threw a scoreless inning in a start against the L.A. Angels, which marked his first ever Spring Training game. Gray then struggled some when facing the Cincinnati Reds a relief appearance earlier this week as he hit a batter, allowed two hits and two runs while only managing to record one out.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts nonetheless is extremely high on the young right-hander. “He cares, he’s got really good fastball command. We always talk about to be able to have stuff to miss bats in the strike zone,” Roberts said before Gray’s debut.
“The changeup is real. Just getting him to understand how to use that slider the right way. But, man, if there’s a guy you want to bet on, he’s right there at the top of the list.”
Roberts additionally said he would not wager against Gray making his MLB debut this season. It’s an approach and reality the Dodgers took with Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May last season, allowing both prospects to start and pitch out of the bullpen.
Uceta has appeared in two Cactus League games thus far, throwing a combined three scoreless innings. He spent last season with the Quakes and Drillers.
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