With the postseason around the corner, many of the Los Angeles Dodgers relievers are currently competing for the few open spots in the bullpen on a potential playoff roster.
One of those pitchers competing is young left-hander Julio Urias. He certainly made his case on Sunday by tossing two shutout innings, allowing just one hit while striking out four to close out a 14-0 win over the San Diego Padres.
When asked if he expects to be on the postseason roster should the Dodgers reach October, Urias said that his focus right now is elsewhere, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“The goal is to win right now. I’m not really thinking about that. I think the main thing is to stay healthy. If I am health and the opportunity is there, then I’m going to help in whatever way I can.”
Sunday’s appearance was just Urias’ second for the Dodgers this season as he underwent shoulder surgery in July 2017 and spent most of this year rehabbing.
Urias looked as good as he has ever looked in the outing, with his fastball touching 97 mph in his first inning of work en route to striking out the side in order.
Expect Urias to get more work throughout the last six games of the regular season so the organization can find out if his shoulder is 100 percent healthy and what they saw on Sunday was the real deal.
Currently, the likely locks to be in the bullpen on the postseason roster are Kenley Jansen, Kenta Maeda, Dylan Floro, Caleb Ferguson and Scott Alexander. If Urias continues to pitch the way he has with the big league club so far then he could potentially be added to that list.
