A recent bout with strep throat has confirmed the obvious with Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias: It is increasingly unlikely that he will begin the season as a member of the starting rotation.
“It would be unrealistic to say he would start the season built up completely,” Manager Dave Roberts said on Monday morning at Camelback Ranch. “The door is not closed. But to say that he would be built up to 100 pitches is probably unrealistic.”
Which means a series of unfortunate events would be required for the Dodgers to need Urias. The team has Brandon McCarthy and Alex Wood prepped for the season, with Hyun-Jin Ryu also making progress.