The 2016 season was a roller coaster ride for Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brandon McCarthy. He began the year on the 60-day disabled list while recovering from a Tommy John surgery that kept him off the roster for the first three months this season.
McCarthy in July recommended his return to manager Dave Roberts and the front office, as that was at a point where the club’s rotation was reeling. With Clayton Kershaw sidelined, Kenta Maeda practically remained the only healthy pitcher amongst the starters.
McCarthy had an exhilarating return to the Dodgers, collecting two victories at Dodger Stadium in his first two starts back. He allowed three runs on five hits in his first 10 innings pitched.
The 33-year-old built on the pair of outings, holding Paul Goldschmidt and the Arizona Diamondbacks scoreless over six innings at Chase Field to earn a road victory.
However, things then take a turn for the worse for McCarthy. He would then hit perhaps the roughest stretch of his career, issuing a combined 20 walks in his next five starts. Fastball command was nonexistent, with the pitch often sailing well wide of the plate and/or hitting batters.
At that point McCarthy conceded he needed some time off to recollect himself. He was put on the 15-day DL with a hip injury, and later admitted to suffering from and battling through a case of the yips.
After starting the game in which the Dodgers clinched the National League West, McCarthy’s final appearance in 2016 was out of the bullpen against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on Sept. 30.
In a test-run for the postseason, McCarthy allowed six runs on five hits and walked a batter without recording an out. He subsequently was left off the Dodgers NL Division Series and Championship Series rosters.
In 10 appearances (nine starts) this season, McCarthy went 2-3 with a 4.95 ERA, 3.70 FIP and 1.38 WHIP. He was 2-0 with a 1.61 ERA in his first four starts.
2016 Highlight
Both McCarthy’s returns from the DL led to strong starts, if not one stellar outing. Against the Colorado Rockies on July 3, he turned in five shutout innings with eight strikeouts on an efficient 72 pitches.
Then on Sept. 25, again facing the Rockies at home, McCarthy collected six strikeouts and allowed just two runs on four hits in 5.1 innings. He didn’t factor into the decision of the Dodgers NL-West clinching victory.
2017 Outlook
Should McCarthy manage to remain healthy, he should bolster a Dodgers rotation that was in constant flux this season. However, there’s also the possibility the right-hander gets traded during the offseason.
Los Angeles reportedly included McCarthy in trade talks with the Milwaukee Brewers to acquire Ryan Braun.
McCarthy has two years and $20 million remaining on a four-year, $48 million contract signed in December 2014. His deal also includes a club option for the 2019 season.
