The Los Angeles Dodgers made it clear since being eliminated from the 2016 National League Championship Series that young left-hander Julio Urias would be on an innings limit during the 2017 season. The same protection was in place last year, though navigating that became difficult.
The 20-year-old began the spring preparing like any other starter, but was shutdown for a couple days due to strep throat. Time missed, coupled with short appearances in Cactus League games led to Urias falling further behind other starting pitchers.
When the season began Urias remained at Camelback Ranch for extended Spring Training.