Julio Urias will work out of Dodgers bullpen for the rest of the season
Julio Urias delivers in the first inning against the New York Yankees on Tuesday. He worked 3 2/3 scoreless innings in what the Dodgers say will be his final start this season.
With 117 innings under his belt between the majors and the minors, Dodgers rookie Julio Urias is headed to the bullpen for the final stretch of the season as the organization seeks to protect his 20-year-old arm while still utilizing him in the playoffs.
Urias (5-2, 3.50 earned-run average) made his final start on Tuesday, lasting 32/3 innings in a 3-0 loss to the New York Yankees. Urias struggled with his command but managed to avoid allowing a run.
Before the game, Manager Dave Roberts reiterated what President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman expressed last month: When the playoffs arrive, Urias will contribute only as a reliever.
“That’s the plan,” Roberts said. “We’ve tried to be cognizant all year with his usage and innings. And there’s really no hard number.”
The team did not carve a number out of stone, but Urias is unlikely to exceed 130 innings this season. An apprenticeship in the bullpen awaits, as the Dodgers will gauge his readiness for handling the nuances of a new assignment in October.
“I can’t say enough about Julio, and what he gives us every time he goes out there,” Roberts said.
Anderson heads to Oklahoma City
As he recovers from a blister on his pitching hand, Brett Anderson will start on Friday for triple-A Oklahoma City in the Pacific Coast League playoffs against El Paso, Roberts said.
After undergoing back surgery in March, Anderson has pitched in two games this season. He lasted one inning and allowed five runs in his first start; in his next, he gave up six runs in three innings.
Anderson is one of several injured Dodgers veterans with an outside chance of helping the club in October.
Brandon McCarthy (hip stiffness) and Alex Wood (elbow impingement) will pitch in simulated games at the team’s Arizona complex at Camelback Ranch, Roberts said. Scott Kazmir remains shut down as he recovers from thoracic spinal inflammation.
The Dodgers hope Wood can serve as a left-handed option in the bullpen. Given his struggles throwing strikes as he returns from Tommy John surgery, McCarthy looks unlikely to make the postseason roster.
andy.mccullough@latimes.com
Twitter: @McCulloughTimes
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