When the Los Angeles Dodgers reported to Camelback Ranch for the start of Spring Training, their starting rotation projected to include Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, David Price and Julio Urias.
That left Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, Jimmy Nelson, Ross Stripling and Alex Wood to compete for the final spot in the Opening Day rotation. May and Nelson have since been shut down due to respective injuries.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers have played five Cactus League games without Kershaw, Buehler, Price or Urias taking the mound. Thus far each has been limited to bullpen sessions and multiple rounds of live batting practice.
That’s set to change when Kershaw starts Friday, and Buehler makes his 2020 debut on Saturday. Now Price and Urias are poised to follow early next week on the road against the Cincinnati Reds, per Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:
#Dodgers MGR Dave Roberts said LHPs David Price and Julio Urias will make spring debuts on Monday.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) February 27, 2020
If Price and Urias are slated to make their respective debuts in the same game, it figures the veteran left-hander will receive start and be piggybacked by the Dodgers’ former top prospect. That’s the plan the Dodgers outlined for Wood to follow Kershaw against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Although for different reasons, Price and Urias share a similarity in that they face questions. Price has managed to throw without issue thus far in camp and previously assured he’s in good health after undergoing surgery last September to remove a cyst from his left wrist.
Urias has reverted back to using some semblance of a windup in effort to establish more of a consistent rhythm. While the Dodgers have removed the innings limit, Roberts emphasized the club is looking for improved command and a step forward in development from Urias.
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