The Los Angeles Dodgers settled for a tie a second consecutive night, this time against the Cincinnati Reds at Camelback Ranch. Julio Urias got the start in what marked his first appearance of 2021 Spring Training.
The left-hander struggled with his command and could not put batters away, giving up a ground-rule RBI double to Alex Blandino just five batters into the outing.
The Dodgers took advantage of the temporary rule to roll innings over, so Urias threw all of 27 pitches to record two outs. That wound up being it for the night as Corey Knebel took over in the second inning.
After the game, Urias explained that he isn’t trying to replicate his performance from the 2020 postseason, but rather just pitch as well as he can. “Just to be me. Focus on what I can do, focus on the things I can get better at,” Urias said.
“Whether it’s a starter or reliever, just focus on the things that I can keep my focus on and try to do the best I can when I get a chance to pitch.”
After dominating as a reliever during the Dodgers’ World Series run, Urias is expected to be the club’s No. 5 starter this season. He believes getting to spend time with the likes of Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler will allow him to make a smooth transition.
“I think you learn from everybody. We have a very talented rotation,” Urias said. “You take everything you can from the time you spend with them, whether it’s them teaching you new things or learning how to approach at-bats and hitters. You continuously learn.”
Though he will mainly start for the Dodgers this season, Urias revealed he will continue pitching without using a windup. “I feel more comfortable from the stretch,” he said.
“It’s something that obviously the training staff and coaching staff has worked with me, and it’s something I just feel a lot more comfortable with and continue to work on.”
Urias not concerned previous success as reliever will lead to move to bullpen
Even if Urias struggles as a starter early on, he is not worried the Dodgers will move him back to the bullpen. “No. Like it is every year, those decisions aren’t up to me,” Urias said.
“If they want to put me in the bullpen or if they want me to start, it’s not really my focus. My focus is to get better each game, each start and try to do the best I can to learn from those starts and grow as a pitcher. Whether it’s out of the bullpen or a starting role.”
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