After resisting the urge over the last year to trade 19-year-old left-handed pitcher Julio Urias for an established player, the Dodgers are thinking about bringing him up to the big leagues.
But as a reliever, not as a starter.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed to reporters Saturday that the organization is discussing summoning the top prospect.
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“Internally, there’s talk. He just came off another great outing. I think that we’re thinking through a lot of options and Urias is definitely at the top of the list,” Roberts said Saturday according to the Los Angeles Daily News.
Through 30 games entering action on Sunday, the Dodgers bullpen had a 4.16 ERA this season.
The Dodgers have been protective of the young lefty. Last season, he pitched 80.1 innings in the minors. This season, he's thrown 24 innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City and has a 1.88 ERA with 29 strikeouts. According to the Daily News, Urias is believed to be on a 100-inning limit this season.
Urias entered the season as the Dodgers' No. 2 overall prospect behind Corey Seager, according to Baseball America. He entered the season as the No. 4 overall prospect in the minors.