The Los Angeles Dodgers have long maintained an approach of being cautious with their pitchers, and Julio Urías arguably is the biggest example of the organization’s philosophy.
Once a top Dodgers pitching prospect, Urías had his career development slowed due to anterior capsule surgery on his left shoulder in 2017. That ended his season midway through the year and led to the Dodgers methodically bringing him back to a starter’s workload.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has repeatedly stated there is not a limit on Urías, and that played out Friday night as the left-hander threw a season-high 94 pitches over six innings.
Urías held the Atlanta Braves to just one run and punctuated his start with a 96 mph fastball for a strikeout to wiggle out of trouble and minimize damage in the sixth. After the 4-1 win, Urías explained having more endurance, via SportsNet LA:
“I felt really strong, especially getting late in the game and even with the pitch count getting to where it got. And obviously being able to execute the pitches, just all of it. The game temperature, the heat, everything was helping me out.”
Of the three hits Urías allowed, two were soft contact and came in the same inning. His nine strikeouts are the second-most in a start this season.
The 25-year-old has continued to impress during the month of June, improving to 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA over four starts.
Urías sensed momentum building
After a strong start against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium, Urías acknowledged he felt a rhythm had been established with each outing this month.
“I feel really good with the last couple outings,” Urías said through an interpreter after the game. “Obviously there’s a couple things I still want to fix, because I’m a perfectionist in that manner. But there’s things that I’ve done in the last three starts that I feel really confident and really good about.
“It’s kind of pushing forward and getting ready for what’s next.”
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