Dodgers Turn To Rookie Pitcher in Series Opener vs. Cardinals

When the Dodgers scratched Bobby Miller from Thursday’s start in Oklahoma City, it seemed possible if not likely the right-hander would fill the vacancy in the Dodgers’ rotation Friday.

However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said in an interview with MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that Justin Wrobleski will start the series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.

“We just wanted to make sure that a couple of our guys are not feeling great, so we wanted to hold Bobby back in case we need him,” Roberts said. “We might need him for the weekend but it’s not certain yet.”

Miller, 25, missed most of the first half with a shoulder injury. When he returned, he went 1-2 with an 8.07 ERA in seven games before being optioned back to Triple-A.

In three starts with Oklahoma City since his demotion, he’s thrown 13 innings, allowed eight earned runs, walked 11 batters and struck out 11. Although his walk rate has been poor, Miller has kept the ball in the park (one home run) while limiting opponents to a .234 average in the three games. He missed about a week with an adductor issue before returning to the mound last Friday.

Reportedly healthy, expect Miller to serve in a long relief role if one is needed in the weekend series against the Cardinals. Last season, his first at the major league level, Miller was the Dodgers’ most healthy and consistent starting pitcher. He finished the season 11-4 with a 3.76 ERA in 22 starts.

Wrobleski established himself as a strong candidate to join the starting rotation when he quickly rose through the Dodgers’ farm system in the season’s first half. He made his big league debut in July after the Dodgers selected him in the 11th round of the 2021 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Wrobleski made three more starts before Los Angeles optioned back to Triple-A Oklahoma City. He went 0-1 with a 4.05 earned run average, 1.20 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched.

In 17 starts between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City, Wrobleski went 5-4 with a 3.57 ERA, striking out 89 batters compared to 26 walks in 88.1 innings.

Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

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