The Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation for the 2023 season will be led by Julio Urías, Clayton Kershaw and Tony Gonsolin, and rounded out by some combination of Noah Syndergaard, Ryan Pepiot, Dustin May and Michael Grove throughout the year.
Grove and Pepiot made their respective MLB debuts last season and are primed to potentially take on larger roles this year. The Dodgers also figure to count on May, but he will be under some limitations heading into his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The Dodgers soon will begin to get their first looks at the rotation as their 2023 Spring Training schedule begins this weekend.
According to Cary Osborne of Dodger Insider, the Dodgers are starting Michael Grove against the Milwaukee Brewers in their Cactus League opener:
Michael Grove will start the Dodgers’ Cactus League opener on Saturday against the Brewers.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) February 22, 2023
Grove appeared in seven games (six starts) for the Dodgers last season, pitching to a 4.60 ERA that was somewhat inflated due to allowing four runs to the Colorado Rockies in his final appearance for them.
While in the Minors last year, the right-hander went a combined 1-5 with a 3.79 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 19 games (17 starts) with Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City. Grove was promoted from the Drillers for his MLB debut, and the bulk of his struggles at the Minor League level came upon getting optioned to Oklahoma City.
Grove previously appeared in two Cactus League games for the Dodgers as a non-roster invitee to 2021 Spring Training, and he was in big league camp again last year after being added to their 40-man roster.
Michael Grove comfortable with MLB pitch timer
When Grove and the Dodgers take the field on Saturday they will do so with new MLB rules in place, including a pitch clock.
“I think we might be a little better equipped to handle it because we went through it in Triple-A when they were testing it,” Grove said of MLB’s timer.
“But there are some tough parts, especially with runners on base. I haven’t had a ton of issues with it so far, so I’m hoping that stays the same.”
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