Hamstring injury likely to keep Urias out even longer
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. » Julio Urias did not throw off a mound Saturday as expected and will certainly be out longer than two weeks with his hamstring injury.
The recalibrated timeline for Urias' return is just the latest example of the Dodgers' optimistic proclamations not panning out. In another example, Dustin May was moved to the 60-day injured list this week and could be out much longer than that — in contrast to the original optimism that he could return in four to six weeks from his elbow injury.
Urias suffered his left hamstring injury during his start May 18 in St. Louis. Urias said he felt the pull in his hamstring during the third inning of that start – an inning that saw him give up four home runs.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism that Urias would be ready to return when he is eligible to come off the IL next Saturday or shortly after. As the first step toward that, Urias was supposed to throw a bullpen session Friday or Saturday at Tropicana Field.
But Roberts said Urias felt renewed soreness in his hamstring during Friday's workout. Urias threw on flat ground Saturday and went through a workout with strength and conditioning coach Travis Smith. But Urias never stepped on the mound to test his hamstring.
“He tried to add a little bit of intensity and felt a little soreness,” Roberts said.
Now, Urias' bullpen session has been pushed back until at least Tuesday. A simulated-game session where he would throw to hitters would have to follow before Urias could be considered ready to rejoin the rotation.
“I think it's safe to say we're going to make sure he's 100 percent ready before he takes the mound again,” Roberts said.
Roberts wouldn't say what the new expected return date might be.
“I'm hesitant to even put any timeline on it,” he said. “I think it's fair to say Tuesday a `pen, then in the ensuing days he'll throw a live (to hitters) at some point. Then we'll see how he comes out of it.
“The strength is there. Today he didn't feel it at all. So that's a net-positive day so let's continue to move forward.”
The Dodgers will continue to move forward with two rookies — Gavin Stone and Bobby Miller — in their starting rotation. Stone is scheduled to start today against the Rays then lines up to face the Yankees at Dodger Stadium next week. Miller is scheduled to make his Dodger Stadium debut Monday against the Nationals and then face the Yankees next weekend.
“It's good in the sense that it will give Bobby and Gavin a little more runway,” Roberts said, looking for a silver lining in Urias' more extended absence.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged on Friday that the team could “potentially” be in the market for starting pitching at the trade deadline if the rotation continues to be hit by injuries.
“It's something for us that, to this point, it's been fine,” Friedman said of the starting rotation. “But another injury or two and it's gonna get more difficult. Obviously Grover (Michael Grove) is building back up, which is gonna help reinforce some of it. Pep (Ryan Pepiot) will at some point. And hopefully Julio won't miss that much time.
“But right now with where we are, it's gonna be a little more shell game-ish if we have more injuries. But we're thinking through that and trying to be as prepared as we can be if that happens. But our goal is for it not to happen.”
The Dodgers' “fine” starting rotation went into Saturday's game with a 4.19 ERA, 12th in the majors. The Dodgers have not finished lower than second in the majors in starters' ERA since 2016.
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Right-hander Wander Suero cleared waivers and was sent back to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Suero has an 8.10 ERA in four appearances with the Dodgers this season. He was designated for assignment early last week.