Last year was the first time Julio Urias had an opportunity to be a permanent member of the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation for a full season, and he certainly took full advantage.
Urias threw 185.2 innings in 2021, which amounted to a higher total than he had from 2017-2020. He also was the only pitcher to reach 20 wins and earned the Warren Spahn Award, which is presented annually to the best left-hander in baseball.
Rather than rest on his accomplishments and breakout season, Urias reported to Camelback Ranch with a slimmed-down physique. “He looks fantastic,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently said of Urias.
“Julio, we’ve talked a lot about over the last six years. It’s gone from prospect to kid to a man to a superstar. The maturity that we’ve seen, and to come off the last couple years and last year, to come in in shape and ready to go, speaks a lot to his maturation. I’m excited for him.”
Urias reportedly entered Spring Training 20 pounds lighter than he had been at the end of the 2021 season. While Urias was never particularly overweight, shedding pounds and turning it into muscle historically has proven beneficial for players, and specifically a pitcher.
The Dodgers figure to lean on Urias along with Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw to anchor a starting rotation that has question marks at the backend.
Urias making Cactus League debut
The Dodgers are one week into their 2022 Spring Training schedule, but Friday will mark the first time Urias gets into a Cactus League game.
He’s due to face the San Diego Padres, who Urias was 2-1 against last season with a 3.38 ERA over three starts.
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