While the Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Bud Norris from the disabled list Friday, he took the spot of another starter as Ross Stripling was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Affected by several injuries throughout the season, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has become quite adept at juggling pitchers in and out of the starting rotation. That’s included moving Julio Urias in and out of the bullpen, and to and from Oklahoma City.
After relying on their young southpaw for eight starts, the Dodgers optioned Urias to Oklahoma City in July. The organization’s plan was to have him work as a starter and reliever as a means to manage workload.
However, Urias returned to the Majors in late July when the Dodgers needed a spot starter. He’s since made two relief appearances for Oklahoma City, and started one of three games with the Dodgers.
According to Andy McCullough of the LA Times, Urias is starting Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds:
Julio Urias will start Sunday.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) August 19, 2016
Inserting Urias into the rotation provides Kenta Maeda with an additional day of rest. Maeda has fared much better this season when the Dodgers have been able to afford him with extra rest.
Urias is 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA, eight strikeouts and six walks in 10.2 innings pitched over three games this month. He endured somewhat of a rough relief appearance at Coors Field on Aug. 3, allowing three runs on six hits in three innings.
Overall with the Dodgers this season, the 20-year-old is 3-2 with a 4.41 ERA, 3.58 FIP and 1.59 WHIP in 12 games (10 starts). Including time with Oklahoma City, Urias has thrown a career-high 96 innings.
His previous career high for a single season was 87.2 innings pitched, set in 2014 with High-A Rancho Cucamonga.
