Dodgers News: Dave Roberts 'Hoping' Julio Urias Can Make Next Start Once IL Stint Ends
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Dodgers ace Julio Urias was placed on the injured list this past weekend after suffering a hamstring strain in his most recent start.
In the third inning of last Thursday's game against the Cardinals, Urias said he felt like something "popped" or "tightened up" in his hamstring.
Urias ended up giving up a career-high four home runs that inning, and was placed on the 15-day injured list a few days later.
Fortunately, Urias has been progressing, and the Dodgers are hopeful the left-hander will be able to make his next start, which would come when the New York Yankees come to Dodger Stadium next weekend.
On Wednesday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided a positive update on Urias' recovery.
"Julio played catch yesterday, played catch today, says he feels good," Roberts said on Wednesday. "We’re hoping he can make his start once his time on the IL is up. It’s not done. Each day he’s got to continue to get better and we’re building towards that."
In the meantime, rookie right-handed pitchers Gavin Stone and Bobby Miller are filling in for the injured Urias and Dustin May in the Dodgers rotation. However, the Dodgers would love to have their ace back, and more importantly, healthy.
It was clear that something wasn't right for Urias in his most recent start, and it showed. His velocity went down, and he later noted that it was "difficult to push off."
Hopefully, this 15 days is exactly what Urias needs to get healthy and back to being his dominant top-of-the-rotation self. The starting pitching has started to become a bit of a concern for the Dodgers, but if Urias returns and starts pitching like himself, the team won't have to worry for much longer.
We'll continue to provide updates on Urias' recovery as they come, but for now, it sounds like he should be back when the Yankees come to town the first weekend of June.
