Editorials

Dodgers News: Mattingly Says Frias ‘Should’ Get Another Start

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

When the Los Angeles Dodgers envisioned their season, they may not have pictured Carlos Frias starting a game on May 1.

The Dodgers had planned on a rotation of Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson. Well, Ryu has yet to pitch this season because of a shoulder issue and McCarthy won’t pitch again until 2016 after tearing his UCL. David Huff, Scott Baker, Mike Bolsinger and now Frias have all started one game for the Dodgers; however, it seems that Frias has possibly earned another start after his performance on Friday night.



Following the game, where Frias went 5.1 innings and didn’t allow a run, manager Don Mattingly was asked if the right-hander would get another shot:

I’m assuming he would.”

Mattingly then went on to say what worked for the hard-throwing Frias against the Arizona Diamondbacks:

Carlos was really good. We talk about his fastball stuff, but he had a quality slider tonight too. He threw a lot of strikes, kept the ball down. He kind of ran out of gas in the sixth, but he did his job.”

Frias was cruising until the sixth inning, where he allowed consecutive singles before getting a strikeout and being removed for Pedro Baez. After failing to make the big league club out of Spring Training, Frias has been recalled twice and thrown 7.2 scoreless innings. The 25-year-old has been used in relief and now as a starter, but mentioned his mental preparation as the key to transitioning from the different roles.

The Dodgers were able to get through April without needing a consistent fifth starter, but with just two days off in May, they will need more of a set rotation. Frias and Baker will be the first two with the chance to set the fourth and fifth spots, and Saturday night will tell if Baker will remain in the rotation.

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Brandon McCarthy Out For Season With Torn UCL

Vincent Samperio

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

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