Dodgers News: Urias To Start on Thursday, Wear #7
With Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Alex Wood heading to the DL with an elbow issue, the front office has decided to again call up wonder-kid Julio Urias.
The 19 year olds first outing in the majors didnt go exactly as planned, giving up 3 earned runs and 4 walks to go along with 3 strikeouts in 2.2 innings pitched.
Julio Urias Called Back Up As Dodgers Send Alex Wood To Disabled ListBut, Urias wont have much time to dwell on his first major league start as he was called up again on Wednesday morning and is now scheduled to pitch Thursday. His first start came against the New York Mets under the lights at Citi Field, and now his second will come against the offensive juggernauts that are the Chicago Cubs, again, away from Chavez Ravine.
While the matchup wont be any easier for the teenager, it was also announced on Wednesday that he will get to wear #7 for the Dodgers.
Julio Urias will wear his beloved No. 7. He first wore it when he was five, which I believe is when he debuted with Rancho Cucamonga.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) June 1, 2016
Urias said getting the #7 is another dream come true. First jersey he ever received, when he was 5 years old.
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) June 1, 2016
Urias will switch from the #78 that he wore in the minors and in his first start. To say that a pitcher wearing a single digit uniform is rare would be a gross understatement.
It appears that Julio Urias will be the first true pitcher to wear a single-digit uniform number for the Dodgers since Bobo Newsom in 1943.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) June 1, 2016
With Urias being penciled in to start on Thursday, it moves the starts of Kenta Maeda and Clayton Kershaw back a day. Maeda, who had been dealing with a swollen right hand, offered the following.
Maeda said his right hand feels good enough to pitch tomorrow but the extra day of rest can't hurt. #Dodgers
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) June 1, 2016
While having to face the Mets and Cubs both away from home in your first two major league starts is a rather daunting task, the front office appears to have confidence that Urias can handle the pressure.
Urias is scheduled to go against Kyle Hendricks on Thursday, who carries with him a 4-3 record and a 2.93 ERA.
This is good news. I would think Maeda needs the rest for his hand And Urias’s stuff if he is on matches up with Wrigley better I would think. When he is on the kid has electric stuff. We shall see.
Eventually he will settle down and show his true worth. This is possible Kershaw type dominant pitcher. Wood going down and being an unknown is a blow but Maeda is pitching better and Kazmir has been great the last couple of starts and Kazmir was throwing a steady 94 last night which means he can then get guys to dive and the slider and change.
I wonder how Frias is? I like his arm MUCH better than Bolsinger. Frias has little pitching experience but has amazing potential and electric “miss bats” type of stuff.
They could bring up Cotton also who just won pitcher of the month in the Minors.