Dodgers news: Don Mattingly Sees Carlos Frias As Solution For Rotation
As the 2015 season progresses the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to look internally to fill the holes in their starting rotation left by injuries to Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Mike Bolsinger, David Huff and Joe Wieland are just three of the five different backend starters that have been used, with Carlos Frias being the only one to make more than start as opposed to being optioned back to Triple-A.
Frias made his 2015 debut in a relief appearance on April 26 against the San Diego Padres, came out of the bullpen again the following night and now has two starts under his belt. Based on recent comments from Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, Frias figures to remain in the starting rotation moving forward, via Bill Plunkett of the OC Register:
We’re getting to the point where obviously you’ve got a couple guys down in your rotation and you’re just looking for guys that can be consistent. Carlos has thrown the ball consistent for us,” said Mattingly, who has watched six pitchers roll through the last two spots in the Dodgers’ rotation. “At this point, I don’t see us changing anything right now. Obviously things change over time. If that goes bad over a couple outings, we may think differently. But that’s the way it is for most everybody.
Frias briefly appeared with the Dodgers last season, making his Major-League debut out of the bullpen Aug. 4 to face Albert Pujols and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. His first start came Sept. 3, which is the role the Dodgers envision Frias in.
Frias finished last season with a 6.12 ERA, however it was greatly inflated due to his start in Colorado against the Rockies in which he gave up eight runs on 10 hits in just 0.2 of an inning. This season he’s 3-0 with a 2.13 ERA, 3.16 FIP and 1.18 WHIP.
Wednesday’s start was the first game this season Frias allowed a run; he’s given up three over four outings (12.2 innings pitched). Although the Dodgers pitching rotation is a shell of what many believed it would be heading into the season, Frias appears to be a reasonable solution.
Brett Anderson Encouraged By Health And Results
Frias has been better than expected by a lot of us. The 2015 Frias is throwing about 3-5 mph harder and has been able to get a 90 mph slider/cutter to be an effective out pitch. Last year Frias when he needed to get an out would try to throw it harder. He has learned to pitch instead of simply rear back and throw. Very good news for Dodger Nation.