With a stretch of 31 games in 30 days, the Los Angeles Dodgers pitching staff figured to face a daunting challenge this month. A rainout that created a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs and Clayton Kershaw being placed on the 15-day injured list made for an even more uphill battle.
That’s amounted to opportunities for prospects Ryan Pepiot and Michael Grove to make their respective MLB debuts. Grove was optioned one day after starting for the Dodgers, while Pepiot has remained on the active roster.
While the Dodgers have filled their starting rotation for the time being, a desire to provide Tony Gonsolin with an extra day of rest this weekend created a void for Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
According to David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio, Mitch White is starting the bullpen game:
Mitch White makes his first start of the season for #Dodgers tomorrow.
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) May 21, 2022
Although Saturday’s start will be White’s first of the season, he’s already appeared in five games. One of those came this past Tuesday in what marked White’s first appearance since being placed on the COVID-19 injured list on April 30.
White reported to Triple-A Oklahoma City to begin building back up but never appeared in a game for any Minor League affiliate as part of a rehab assignment. Overall this season he’s 1-0 with a 4.82 ERA and 1.18 WHIP.
The start at Citizens Bank Park will be White’s first time pitching there since an encouraging outing last August. Still filling a swing role for the Dodgers, he allowed just two runs and went four innings.
Expectations for White
Considering the 25-year-old has not pitched more than 3.2 innings in any appearance this season, he’s not expected to provide much length Saturday. The Dodgers should have a relatively full bullpen to back him.
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