Who would be part of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Opening Day starting rotation had been clear for more than a week, but the order behind Walker Buehler remained unsettled in the final days heading into the 2022 regular season.
The Dodgers have since announced Tony Gonsolin is following Buehler in the rotation, with Julio Urias also slated to pitch in the Opening Series against the Colorado Rockies. Prior to setting the rotation order, all that had been decided was Buehler starting the season opener and Andrew Heaney being ruled out to pitch at Coors Field.
Gonsolin slotting second in the Dodgers’ rotation has him starting on normal rest. He threw four innings and allowed three runs to the L.A. Angels on Monday.
Gonsolin threw 9.1 innings over three appearances (two starts) during Spring Training. He’s a lifetime 0-1 in two games (one start) at Coors Field.
By holding Urias until Sunday, he is scheduled to take the mound with extra rest (five days) as well. Urias’ last time pitching was in the first game of the exhibition Freeway Series at Dodger Stadium, but he only went two-plus innings and had a drop in fastball velocity.
“I’m not concerned about the velo,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said this week. “I think Julio will be fine. It was down, I don’t know the reason for it, but I think there will be a couple upticks in his start. … He feels strong. It’s not about last year, he had a good winter, he looks good, feels strong. All signs point towards he’ll be fine.”
Urias is 2-1 with a 5.53 ERA over nine games (seven starts) in his career at Coors Field.
With Clayton Kershaw not starting in the Opening Series, the earliest he will take the mound is Tuesday, in the opener of a two-game set with the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Kershaw recently expressed some relief to have proven himself healthy, and Roberts said earlier this week that health was not a factor as the team continued to mull their starting rotation order.
Roberts grades Dodgers pitching
The Dodgers pitching staff was subject to inconsistencies throughout Spring Training and though Roberts is confident in the personnel, he saw average performances.
“I love the players. Individually, certain guys were good, certain guys were not good,” he said. “But I do believe all of our guys are ready for April 8. So my grade, a C.”
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