Dodgers: Ross Stripling Talks Moving to Bullpen, Roberts Provides Dylan Floro Update
After the Dodgers 2-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday afternoon, Ross Stripling was asked by reporters about his impending move to the bullpen with Rich Hill returning to health.
#Dodgers Ross Stripling on moving to the bullpen now with Rich Hill returning: "I'll go down there if that's what they want and we'll get after guys out of the bullpen and get outs there and be ready whenever an opportunity comes up."
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) April 25, 2019
Stripling has proven himself to be a true professional with his quotes in the past and the way he carries himself. This quote is wholly indicative of that maturity he possesses. He is ready to go and get hitters out in whatever capacity.
As a starter this season, including his start against the Cubs, Stripling tossed 29 1/3 innings with a 3.07 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. His velocity on the fastball was dipping below 90mph quite frequently, so it will be interesting to see if the move to the bullpen benefits him in that regard. Should Kenta Maeda continue to struggle or an injury arise, Stripling can easily step into the rotation again.
Roberts Provides Update on Floro Injury
Not known to fans and reporters prior to Thursday’s matchup, Dylan Floro was struck by a line drive and was ‘avoided’ according to manager Dave Roberts.
Dave Roberts said he stayed away from using Dylan Floro, who was struck in the back of the right shoulder by a batted ball during batting practice on Tuesday. He said Floro was available today.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) April 25, 2019
Floro has been one of the true consistent bullpen arms for the Boys in Blue this season, managing to not allow any runs through 10 2/3 innings this season. His peripherals also look strong outside of his unusually low strikeout rate, as he has surrendered 73rd-percentile exit velocity through his body of work.
Roberts removing Stripling after 4+ innings(5 required for a starter to be credited for a win), anybody miffed by this. I heard the reasoning is, it would have been Striping’s third time through the Cub’s order i.e. Bryant. But to be removed with the lead and one out to go for a victory, that’s got to be rough. I know there were Cubs on base.
To think that Strips, who leads the pitchers in ERA, will be sent to the BP is absurd, and reflects the woeful decisions the FO is making about platooning. Frankly, I would put Maeda in the BP and utilize Sripling in a starter role. Also, trading Wood was also a poor decision; you never get rid of good pitchers until they are no longer productive. And what about Mr. Verdugo? He should be playing on a daily basis. Unfotunately, CT3 is playing more and more and his average is sinking faster than the Titanic. Go Blue!!!