Dodgers Way Quick Hits: Julio Urias Due Back September First?

The Dodgers held off on trading multiple prospects for a top tier reliever at the trade deadline due to the multiple relievers they have returning from the DL soon.  One of those arms is the prized arm of Julio Urias.

The Dodgers could have gone all in at the July 31st trade deadline and acquired a top tier reliever like Kyle Barraclough, Drew Steckenrider, or Adam Conley but the front office chose to go the unconventional route by trading for John Axford.  The front office felt more comfortable waiting out the return of their disabled list arms such as Josh Fields, Tony Cingrani, and Julio Urias.

The Dodgers also will shift one or two of their rotation arms to the bullpen for their potential playoff roster.  One starter who is already being shifted to the bullpen is Julio Urias.  Urias is due back by September first according to Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts.

Urias made a start on Saturday for the Arizona League Dodgers and pitched 1 2/3 innings while allowing just one hit and struck out four batters.  While Urias isn’t going to be used as a starting pitcher this season, he could be a multi-inning weapon out of the bullpen down the stretch.

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• Walker Buehler showed tremendous poise on Sunday limiting the Astros to two runs in 5 1/3 innings while striking out eight hitters.  Buehler didn’t have the best fastball command but he was able to get the Astros to chase his heater up in the zone and he commanded his offspeed pitches well.  Buehler will make his next start at the nightmare known as Coors Field.
• Manny Machado had been having a rough time at the plate for the Dodgers prior to Sunday’s game.  Machado went 3-4 on Sunday scoring two runs to help the Dodgers avoid a sweep to the Astros.  If Manny could settle in and start being the run producer the Dodgers imagined, then the offense will start to score more runs consistently.
• Speaking of struggling, Max Muncy has been in sharp regression as he has zero home runs and a .150 batting average in his past seven games.  Muncy’s average in the past fifteen games is only .163 and if he continues to struggle the Dodgers will have to strongly consider demoting the first half star of this season.

• The Dodgers were fortunate to finish the weekend tied in first place after losing two of three to the Houston Astros but they will need to regroup on today’s off day as they have a tough six-game road trip on tap against the Oakland A’s and Colorado Rockies.  If the Dodgers wanted to make a statement they would win at least four or five games this road trip.