Although the results weren’t what everyone had hoped for, there was little doubt that when 19-year-old left-handed phenom Julio Urias made his MLB debut with the Dodgers last Friday night against the New York Mets at Citi Field, it was only a spot start and he would be sent back down to Triple-A Oklahoma City the following day – which, of course, is exactly happened. And though many Dodger fans had hoped that Urias’ first career game would be at Dodger Stadium in front of a friendly crowd instead of hostile Chase Utley-hating Mets fans, the kid didn’t do too bad under the circumstances.

Urias allowed three runs on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts in his 2.2-inning MLB debut. Then again, he received only one run of support from his teammates, too. He ultimately did not figure in the decision in the Dodgers eventual 6-5 loss to the Mets. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

When Urias left for OKC, Dodgers fans were left wondering when they might see him again for his second MLB start and had, for the most part, resigned themselves to the fact that the only way that they would see the young Culiacan, Mexico native again anytime soon would be in the event of an unforeseen injury to one of the Dodgers starters. Unfortunately, this too is exactly what happened.

On Tuesday afternoon the Dodgers announced that left-hander Alex Wood, who had been absolutely brilliant in his last three starts for the Dodgers, was headed to the disabled list for “left posterior elbow soreness” and that Urias was being recalled to replace him. And though there has been no official announcement yet on when Urias will make his second MLB start, word has it that it will be on Saturday evening against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium – this in spite of the fact that he will have not pitched in over a week.

In his last three games, Alex Wood has struck out 25 batters while walking only five.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

After Tuesday evening’s exciting 5-0 win over the smoking hot Chicago Cubs and even more smoking hot Jake Arrieta, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Wood had already departed for Los Angeles and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Wednesday. And while it’s always good to think positive about such things, MRIs on shoulders and elbows generally don’t end well for hard-throwing major league pitchers.

Even if Wood’s MRI does come back favorable, as we all hope and pray it will, it’s probably safe to assume that the 25-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina native will be on the shelf for awhile regardless. And lord forbid should he require Tommy John surgery, the Dodgers will need a long-term replacement for him, say… like… Julio Urias.

But wait, there’s more!

Prior to Tuesday’s (briefly) rain-delayed game, Roberts told reporters that Japanese right-hander Kenta Maeda still has some swelling in his right hand after being struck by a line drive comebacker on Saturday night. And though the 28-year-old Osaka, Japan native remained in the game and, in fact, retired 13 of the next 15 batters he faced in the Dodgers eventual 9-1 rout of the Mets, Roberts said that he might give Maeda and extra day or two off, depending on whether the swelling goes down or not.

Should Maeda be unable to go in Thursday’s series finale against the Cubs, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that right-hander Ross Stripling might be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City for a spot start. That said, it doesn’t appear that Maeda will require a stint on the DL.

The Dodgers have other options should a spot start or two be needed anytime soon. Right-hander Jharel Cotton has been pitching well at OKC of late and right-hander Carlos Frias himself recently returned from the disabled list. Although Cotton has yet to make his MLB debut, Frias has appeared in 32 major league games over two seasons with the Dodgers, including 15 starts.

Although right-hander Mike Bolsinger gets the start on Wednesday evening for the Dodgers opposite Cubs veteran left-hander Jon Lester, the rest of the Dodgers starting rotation is currently in a state of flux. And while it is certainly possible that staff ace Clayton Kershaw could move up a day and pitch on three days rest instead of his normal four, it’s probably safe to say that Roberts doesn’t really want to do this. Then again, it’s also probably safe to say that Kershaw would be willing to take the ball everyday if needed.