Dodgers News: Brandon Beachy Fades As Zach Lee Enters Picture For Start

UPDATE (July 10, 11:20 a.m.): Although Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly suggested otherwise, it appears Brandon Beachy may wind up taking the mound Saturday, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:

Sources: Beachy heading to LA to join #Dodgers. Likely to start tomorrow.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 10, 2015

In placing Carlos Frias on the 15-day disabled list Sunday, the Los Angeles Dodgers were left in the all-too-familiar position of needing to piece together their starting rotation. They went with a bullpen game Monday when Frias’ spot came up and to date the plan for Saturday is very much in the air — at least publicly.

After stating Brandon Beachy was a candidate to make his Dodgers debut, manager Don Mattingly backed off those remarks Thursday. “Brandon is scheduled for Sunday in Colorado Springs [with Triple-A Oklahoma City],” Mattingly said.

“We’re happy with where Brandon is at. He’s feeling good. But I don’t think we’re ready to just throw him in the fire. Anything could happen I guess, but we haven’t talked about him that much. It’s about getting him ready to go and making sure he’s good for the long haul.” With Beachy all but ruled out to make his Dodgers debut this weekend, it’s created a window of opportunity — albeit perhaps a small one — for Zach Lee to take the mound in Los Angeles.

“I heard his name,” Mattingly said of the club’s first-round selection in the 2010 draft. “He’s been throwing the ball and building back up. He’s close to the point where he could give you a full start, so I’m sure he could be some type of candidate.” Lee recently was sidelined for one month due to tingling in the fingers on his right hand.

He traveled to Los Angeles for a series of tests and began a throwing program at the Camelback Ranch Spring Training after being medically cleared. Lee started and threw five shutout innings for the Arizona League Dodgers July 1, and more recently threw another five innings with High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Monday.

While Mattingly acknowledged Lee is among the options being considered, he also allowed Saturday could be a bullpen game — the Dodgers’ third this season. Los Angeles split their first two bullpen games, using a combined 12 pitchers.

Mattingly did add under that scenario a starting pitcher would be inserted with the hope of throwing a minimum of four innings. Mattingly also said Frias was scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday and would need to make at least rehab start before being activated from the disabled list.

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