Justin Wrobleski became the latest Los Angeles Dodgers prospect to make his MLB debut as the left-hander received an opportunity at the beginning of the week due to mounting injuries in the starting rotation.
Wrobleski was inserted for a spot start against the Milwaukee Brewers, which pushed Bobby Miller back to the Philadelphia Phillies series. The left-hander went five innings and allowed back-to-back home runs in a no-decision.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wrobleski was likely being optioned back to Triple-A Oklahoma City the following day but he remained with the team due to Tyler Glasnow going on the 15-day injured list.
That left Wrobleski to face the Detroit Tigers on Saturday, when he again pitched five innings and allowed two home runs. He was in line to earn the win but the Dodgers blew a five-run lead in the ninth inning.
Following the game, the 24-year-old expressed frustration with his performance through two starts for the Dodgers, via SportsNet LA:
“Obviously, I’m not quite happy with the result. It sucks to go up there and give up four runs. Kind of gave us a little bit of length, which is fine, but I think I’m better than how I’ve pitched the last two starts. Obviously it’s frustrating, but again, looking back on it, see what we can do and see what kind of things I can fix. I think it’s easy fixes.
“The slider is the one I’m upset with. The cutter, inner half, maybe I’ve got to get it off (the plate). I wouldn’t say I’m happy with it but at the end of the day there’s definitely positives in there, so just got to keep going.”
Wrobleski acknowledged there’s been somewhat of a learning curve with facing Major League hitters but reiterated there are aspects within his control that can be improved:
“I think that’s definitely part of it. Obviously the hitters are better up here, but at the end of the day I’ve got to go out there and execute those pitches and make pitches in the spots where I feel like I can. Got clipped for two (home runs) there in that fifth inning, but kind of easy fixes and things I know I can build off of.”
There have been noticeable similarities in Wrobleski’s two Dodgers starts as they have produced nearly identical pitching lines. He’s completed five innings, allowed four runs, five hits, two home runs, walked two batters and collected four strikeouts in both outings.
One difference was just three of the Tigers’ runs were earned. Another was the Brewers’ home runs were with one out in the fourth inning and two outs in the fifth, respectively.
Whereas Detroit hit back-to-back homers off Wrobleski in the fifth inning.
What’s next for Justin Wrobleski?
There again was some thought the Dodgers would option Wrobleski, but Ricky Vanasco instead was the pitcher sent down Sunday in order to add Brent Honeywell to their roster.
That leaves Wrobleski in line to begin the second half with the Dodgers and make at least a third start. How long he remains with the team figures to be dependent on the progress of Clayton Kershaw and other injured pitchers.
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