Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers and catchers officially reported to Camelback Ranch on Wednesday morning for the start of Spring Training, which for the likes of Austin Barnes (Team Mexico), Clayton Kershaw (Team USA), Adam Kolarek (Team Israel), Julio Urías (Team Mexico) and Will Smith (Team USA), will include playing in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Prior to Urías diving into his commitment to the Mexican national team, he got off the mound at the Dodgers’ Spring Training complex for a bullpen session. It marked the first time Urías officially threw a bullpen during Spring Training.
The left-hander is heading into what is shaping up to be a pivotal season in his career. Not only is Urías likely to further cement himself as the ace of the Dodgers pitching staff, but 2023 is tracking to be his final season before reaching free agency.
When asked about his contractual status at Dodgers FanFest, Urías said there had not been extension talks with the team.
Here’s some Julio Urías footage for you. pic.twitter.com/eNwDFlM6zd
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 15, 2023
It begins again. #Dodgers Julio Urias pic.twitter.com/A1njObMaGn
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 15, 2023
#Dodgers Julio Urías reporting for duty pic.twitter.com/S8MrVNZPoL
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) February 15, 2023
Baseball is back. #DodgersST pic.twitter.com/DGdfzsJ2vA
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 15, 2023
“Right now I’m focused on playing,” Urías said through a translator. “First comes the WBC and then we have the season, so those are two things I’m focused on right now. My representatives will have their chance to talk but I’m 100% focused on the field.”
Urías is coming off a season in which he went 17-7 with a 2.16 ERA, 3.71 FIP, 0.96 WHIP and 166 strikeouts across 175 innings over 31 starts. He led the National League in ERA and ERA+ (194), and finished third in Cy Young Award voting.
Julio Urías proud Dodgers are retiring No. 34
The Dodgers made a surprise announcement during FanFest that they are retiring No. 34 for Fernando Valenzuela, which was met with plenty of celebration.
“It’s going to be a huge celebration for us and the Mexican community,” Urías said. “We know how big he’s been, especially coming from a small city in Mexico, to be able to do what he did, is big. It’s going to be a huge celebration.”
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