Dodgers News: Julio Urias Heading to Rehab Assignment, On Track to Return Next Week
As you may know by now, the Los Angeles Dodgers are vastly underperforming this season compared to the high standards set in past years.
They stand in third place in the NL West behind the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants, and while the deficit between them and the top of the division is a modest three and a half games, the team is in need of a jolt — especially on the pitching side of things.
Well the team is on course to getting that, as Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA reported that the return of Julio Urias is rather imminent.
#Dodgers Dave Roberts said Julio Urías will pitch on Sunday with Rancho for his rehab assignment. The hope is that he can go 4 innings, 60 pitches and then be activated in Kansas City against the Royals.
— Kirsten Watson (@kirsten_watson) June 21, 2023
Urias’ season has been hampered by a nagging hamstring injury.
The 26-year-old was placed on the 15-day injured list last month with the injury, and was scheduled to make his return to the Dodgers around a week and a half ago against the Phillies before suffering a setback in his recovery.
Now the left hander looks to be on a path to return sometime within the next couple weeks, barring another unexpected downturn.
As for how the pitcher himself is feeling, Urias said this to reporters ahead of the team opening up the Freeway Series on Tuesday night.
Julio Urías said everything “felt great” after his live BP today. He pitched three innings and he’ll “have conversations” based on how he feels tomorrow.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) June 20, 2023
Urias had been having a poor 2023 campaign by his standards, with a 4.39 ERA in 10 starts this season.
The hope is though that the World Series champion will be able to perform better when his hamstring gets in his rear view mirror, and he would provide a timely boost to a pitching staff that needs a reset.
As of Wednesday morning, the team has a collective ERA of 4.60, which ranks them 24th out of 30 MLB teams.
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