With Opening Day of the 2017 regular season two weeks away, the Los Angeles Dodgers are continue to work on getting healthy by the time they face the San Diego Padres on April 3.
While the Dodgers have not faced any serious injuries like the fractured tibia Andre Ethier suffered last spring, there have been a few nagging injuries to multiple players. Ethier, Adrian Gonzalez, Sergio Romo and Corey Seager, among others, have missed time this spring.
And in Ethier’s case, he’s scheduled to undergo an MRI on his aching back. Now Julio Urias can be added to the group who has fallen to less than 100 percent.
According to Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times, Urias was sent home from camp Sunday morning as he is dealing with strep throat:
Julio Urias has strep throat. He was sent home. The team will re-evaluate him later this week.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) March 19, 2017
Upon returning to camp, Urias said he hopes to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday:
Julio Urias hopes to throw a bullpen tomorrow. He had trouble swallowing for the previous three days.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) March 20, 2017
Urias was expected to pitch in a Minor League game on Tuesday, but that most likely will no longer be the case due to his illness. It has been an odd spring for the 20 year old, and it’s still unknown where he will begin the season.
Urias entered camp ready to compete for one of the final two spots in the starting rotation, but the organization seemingly planned otherwise. Urias has been brought along slowly throughout Cactus League play.
In four games (two starts), he’s thrown just 5.2 innings. Urias has appeared out of the bullpen after making consecutive starts. The young left-hander seemingly will remain in extended Spring Training or join Triple-A Oklahoma City when the Dodgers break camp.
