(LA) With Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias still waiting to find out if he’ll be the team’s No. 2 starter this season, an even bigger role is on the horizon for him.
Posted at 9:41 a.m.
Urias is expected to take over as the Dodgers’ top left-handed starter in the near future. Clayton Kershaw, who signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers after the lockout ended, is still considered the best left-hander in the rotation. He is one of the best in baseball history. But the torch will eventually have to be passed to the Dodgers.
In his final appearance on the mound before the Dodgers’ regular season kicked off Friday at Colorado, Urias didn’t look exactly like the heir apparent the team hopes he will become. He allowed five runs, six hits and three walks in just two or more innings (61 pitches) in a 10-4 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
“First and foremost, I felt good and healthy,” Urias said through an interpreter. Obviously the results weren’t there, but I felt good and that’s the goal of preparing for our start (to the season) in Colorado. »
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts declined to say if Urias would be his No. 2 starter on Saturday. Right-hander Walker Buehler has already been chosen to pitch in the season opener in Denver on Friday.
“I think we’re ready with the five guys who are going to start (the) first five games, I just don’t know in what order,” Roberts said.
This is not an unfamiliar situation for Urias in recent seasons. He was a hero on the Dodgers’ journey to winning the World Series in 2020, and last year he tried unsuccessfully to get it back after a short rest in the National League Championship Series.
He squandered a relief lead in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves, then was roughed up as a starter, losing in Game 4. Both appearances at the mound came with just two days off as the club was ultimately eliminated.
The Mexican remains one of the Dodgers’ most popular pitchers, earning one of the loudest standing ovations heading into Monday’s game, along with Freddie Freeman, who joined the club as a free agent. In Game 4 of the championship series last season, Freeman homered Urias, one of three he allowed that day.
With the page now turned and his spring preparation complete, Urias is ready to get back to work after his 20-win season in 2021. He had never won more than five games in his previous five seasons and his season of 20 win was the first by a Dodgers pitcher since Kershaw in 2014.
“Obviously winning 20 games is very difficult, but those are the goals I’m going to set for myself,” Urias said. But above all, I just want to stay healthy. »