Dodgers: Julio Urias and David Price Will Make Their Spring Debuts Next Week
The Dodgers pitching staff will likely be getting a better look at two of their options next week. Manager Dave Roberts announced after Thursday’s game that David Price and Julio Urias would both be making their Cactus League debuts on Monday.
#Dodgers MGR Dave Roberts said LHPs David Price and Julio Urias will make spring debuts on Monday.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) February 27, 2020
As is stands, the Dodgers’ starting staff could potentially consist of ten different players at any given time this year. Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, David Price, and Julio Urias are they four that Roberts has publicly acknowledged as bring in the starting staff. Alex Wood took it upon himself earlier this week to say that he would not have come back to the team without being ensured a spot in the rotation.
The Dodgers are loaded with talent, to the point where two top pitchers might even start the season at Triple-A. Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin are both projected long-term as starters, but there doesn’t seem to be room at the moment.
David Price was acquired as part of the Mookie Betts trade, and instantly become the Dodgers’ number three man. Price is coming off of a very bad year in 2019 but has the potential to be a solid option in the middle of the rotation. At one point in his career, Price was a Cy Young Award winner and near perennial All-Star.
Urias is hopefully looking at his very first year of having a consistent spot as a starting pitcher in the rotation. Coming off of a year filled with off-field issues and underperformance in the postseason, Julio may need this year to go well more than any rotation option. He has pitched a combined 28 games as a starter in his big league career and another 35 out of relief.
The Dodgers will be playing the Reds at Goodyear Park on Monday at 12:05 PT.
Here’s a suggestion. Seriously limit their innings in these first starts. We already have several sore arm pitchers. Price is coming off a less than healthy 2019, and Urias hasn’t had real starts in the past 2 to 3 years. If you want them to be ready in April, slow play them in March. That goes for just about every pitcher the Dodgers have. Nobody cares about spring training numbers for pitchers, at least not at the beginning of spring training. It’s about health and progress.