Dodgers Team News

Dodgers Spring Training: Roles For Carlos Frias And Juan Nicasio Set

Carlos Frias, Juan Nicasio

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ need for pitching may not have landed them any of the big starters that were available — Jon Lester, Max Scherzer and James Shields — but the players they did acquire during the offseason have brought something to the roster the big trio couldn’t — versatility.



Brett Anderson, Mike Bolsinger and Juan Nicasio are not the elite pitcher that many believed would wind up with the Dodgers, but they nonetheless have added flexibility to the starting rotation. On top of the additions, the Dodgers also have Carlos Frias, who served as a starter and reliever last season.

According to Bill Plunkett of the OC Register, the Dodgers intend on preparing Frias as a starter this spring:

Conversely, Nicasio will be treated as a reliever:

Nicasio completed his fourth season in the Majors by making the most game appearances (33) of his career, including 14 starts, but for only a total of 93.2 innings pitched. He also made 10 appearances (four starts) with the Rockies’ Triple-A affiliate last season during which he posted a 3-2 record with a 4.54 ERA.

As a reliever with the Rockies in 2014, Nicasio held batters to a slash of .227/.275/.400 with a 3.48 ERA, which is superior to his marks as a starter when opponents hit .305/.361/.546, and he held a 5.92 ERA.

In his career, Nicasio has started in 69 of his 88 game appearances and is 21-22 with a 5.03 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. He and the Dodgers avoided arbitration when they agreed to a one-year deal.

With Bolsinger, Nicasio and recently signed Brandon Beachy, the Dodgers added depth to their pitching staff that they sorely lacked in 2014. If general manager Farhan Zaidi’s recent comments are correct, the Dodgers will at some point rely on their organizational depth of pitchers this season.

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