Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Provides Julio Urias Injury Update, Plan to Return to Action

Dodgers star pitcher Julio Urias is nearing a return to the mound. On Saturday, Urias threw a bullpen session at Dodger Stadium, as he continues to check the boxes as he rehabs his hamstring strain.

Urias has been out since May 18, when he left his start against the St. Louis Cardinals after just three innings. That was arguably the worst start of his career, as he allowed four home runs in the third inning — but we later found out why.

Now, Urias has been progressing. While the Dodgers hoped he would be back for this weekend’s series against the Yankees, he’s not quite ready yet. However, on Saturday, he threw “around 25-30” pitches in his bullpen session and used his entire pitch mix. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Urias will throw three or four innings in a simulated game on Tuesday, and if all goes well, he’ll be activated for his next turn in the rotation.

Julio Urías threw “around 25-30” pitches and used his entire pitch mix in a bullpen session today, Dave Roberts said.

He’ll throw 3-4 innings in a simulated game on Tuesday, and if all goes well, the hope is he’ll be activated the following week.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) June 3, 2023

This would be great news for the Dodgers rotation, which is finally starting to get healthy after a tumultuous start to the year.

Michael Grove was activated off the injured list on Saturday to start the afternoon game against the Yankees, in what will be his first start since April 20. When Urias makes his return, it will just be Dustin May and Ryan Pepiot on the injured list in terms of starting pitchers. Neither, however, will be back until after the All-Star break at the earliest.

When Urias returns, the Dodgers will have a decision to make. They’ll have six healthy starting pitchers between Urias, Grove, Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Noah Syndergaard and Bobby Miller, so one will likely have to be moved out of the rotation.

Miller would seem like the obvious choice considering the Dodgers likely want to limit his workload, but with how well he’s pitching, the Dodgers may have no choice but to keep him up. That could mean trouble for Syndergaard, who’s getting another opportunity on Wednesday to show he can still provide the Dodgers a quality start. That may be the most important start of his season, as he looks to remain in this rotation long-term.

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