GLENDALE, Ariz. — Coming into the spring, it regarded like Emmet Sheehan was the favourite to ultimately safe the vacant fifth spot within the Dodgers’ Opening Day beginning rotation.
However after throwing a bullpen session early in camp, Sheehan hasn’t been in a position to get on the mound because of proper shoulder soreness. He hasn’t confronted stay hitting all spring and supervisor Dave Roberts made it official on Saturday by asserting Sheehan will begin the season on the 15-day injured record.
With Sheehan not obtainable to start out the season, the Dodgers have an open competitors for that fifth spot within the rotation. The Dodgers, in fact, have time given they don’t need to land on a closing resolution till the primary week of the common season.
“We’ve some choices,” Roberts mentioned. “I don’t suppose we’re beholden to something proper now. Actually, having the worth of three or 4 innings is necessary. However we don’t must make that call but.”
These choices are a bit extra clear at this level within the spring. Gavin Stone, Ryan Yarbrough, Michael Grove and Kyle Harm are the pitchers with the perfect possibilities at nabbing that closing spot. Grove made one other case for himself on Saturday, hanging out six over 3 1/3 scoreless innings in opposition to the defending champion Rangers within the Dodgers’ 7-1 win at Camelback Ranch.
Grove has come up by way of the Minors as a starter and noticed most of his time with the Dodgers final season within the rotation. The suitable-hander, nevertheless, additionally received work within the bullpen final season, making six reduction appearances. As a reliever, Grove noticed an uptick in velocity together with his four-seam fastball and received extra whiffs together with his go-to slider.
“I’m simply making an attempt to make the crew,” Grove mentioned. “I don’t make these varieties of choices. It simply relies upon rather a lot on who’s wholesome and what we seem like as a crew heading to Korea. So yeah. I’m simply going to maintain making an attempt to do my job when given the ball.”
Of the group, Yarbrough is the one with probably the most expertise as a starter. However with the Dodgers not having plenty of left-handed choices out of the bullpen, there’s some worth in conserving him within the ‘pen in a swingman position, just like his position when the Dodgers acquired him from the Royals in early August.
“Clearly, with Yarbrough within the ‘pen, he can do various things,” Roberts mentioned. “However proper now, it’s nonetheless good to speak about potential depth, with not having to formalize that roster formally but.”
Then there’s Stone, who was the group’s second-ranked pitching prospect coming into final season. Stone struggled in restricted time within the Majors, nevertheless, and was finally getting despatched again all the way down to Triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis after permitting seven runs on 10 hits in opposition to the Rays on Could 28.
As soon as Stone returned in September, he confirmed glimpses of why he was a high prospect. A tipping subject was finally behind a few of Stone’s struggles, which have been resolved this spring. With one or two extra strong begins earlier than the home Opening Day on March 28, it might very properly be Stone who secures that spot within the rotation, at the least till Sheehan or Buehler return.
However because the Dodgers get set to fly internationally to Seoul, South Korea, they will afford to attend on making that call.
“I don’t know who’s gonna begin that sport,” Roberts mentioned. “We’re nonetheless evaluating. However I believe [Stone and Grove are] having actually good springs.”
