The Los Angeles Dodgers have arrived at Citi Field to begin a weekend set against the New York Mets. Alex Wood, who was originally scheduled to start the game, had his outing pushed back to Monday due to triceps soreness.
While Wood’s injury has been downplayed as not serious, it resulted in a roster move that many have long awaited. Making his highly-anticipated Major League debut is top pitching prospect Julio Urias.
At 19 years, 289 days old, Urias becomes the first teenager to appear in a game for the Dodgers since Fernando Valenzuela made his MLB debut out of the bullpen at 19 years, 319 days old on Sept. 15, 1980.
Additionally, Urias is the youngest pitcher to start a game in Dodgers franchise history since Dick Calmus, who took the mound at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 23, 1963, at 19 years, 228 days old.
The 19-year-old lefty went 4-1 over eight games (seven starts) with Triple-A Oklahoma City this season. Urias led the Pacific Coast League with a 1.10 ERA and 0.78 whip. He was on quite a tear in the hitter-friendly PCL, putting together a streak of 27 consecutive scoreless innings prior to being called up by the Dodgers.
Manager Dave Roberts said the prized left-hander is working on an 80-to-90 pitch count in his debut. Urias’ career high is 89 pitches, set in April 2015 with Double-A Tulsa. Roberts added Urias’ pitches consists of a plus-fastball, a plus-breaking ball, changeup and slider.
Urias faces a Mets lineup that features six right-handed batters, including Jacob deGrom. Also starting are two switch-hitters. Right-handed batters hit just .167/.217/.357 off Urias this season in the Minor; same-side hitters batted .214/.267/.357.
deGrom is coming off of his worst start of the season against the Milwaukee Brewers. In the May 21 outing, he allowed four runs on five hits, and had three walks in a no-decision. deGrom allowed two runs on eight hits and had four strikeouts against the Dodgers just over two weeks ago.
Along with four-career starts against the Dodgers in the regular season, deGrom went 2-0 with 20 strikeouts over 13 innings pitched in the 2015 National League Division Series. Adrian Gonzalez has enjoyed some against deGrom during the regular season, going 5-for-10 with two home runs and six RBIs.
Friday’s game also marks Chase Utley’s first return to Citi Field since the 2015 NLDS. Utley said he’s anticipating a hostile crowd that’s yet to see any retribution over his slide that broke Ruben Tejada’s leg.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
LF: Howie Kendrick
CF: Joc Pederson
RF: Yasiel Puig
C: Yasmani Grandal
P: Julio Urias
Mets lineup:
RF: Curtis Granderson
SS: Asdrubal Cabrera
3B: David Wright
LF: Yoenis Cespedes
2B: Neil Walker
CF: Juan Lagares
C: Kevin Plawecki
1B: Eric Cambell
P: Jacob deGrom
