Julio Urias starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the home contest of their split-squad doubleheader. Urias’ outing against the San Diego Padres figures to be his final time pitching in a Major League game for quite some time.
Urias hasn’t appeared in a Cactus League game since March 15. The 20-year-old lefty has allowed three runs in 5.2 innings so far this spring, striking out eight. On talent, he would be a mortal lock for the Dodgers rotation.
However, given his age and lack of a full Major League workload thus far in his career, the Dodgers are exercising extreme caution with their precocious southpaw. Urias recently overcame a case of strep throat.
Grant Dayton, Josh Fields, Chris Hatcher, Adam Liberatore and Sergio Romo are expected to pitch in relief.
San Diego counters with Luis Perdomo, who has pitched fairly well this spring — posting a 2.87 ERA in four appearances. The 23-year-old righty didn’t have much luck against the Dodgers last year.
On Opening Day, he allowed six runs in an single inning of work. Then he took the loss in the 17-inning marathon on May 22 at Petco Park. Perdomo did get the last laugh, however, winning his final matchup with the Dodgers, 6-5.
The Dodgers hit Perdomo hard last year, and none harder than Adrian Gonzalez. The veteran first baseman went 6-for-12 with a home run off the Padres’ young starter. Perdomo also surrendered homers to Logan Forsythe, Yasmani Grandal, Franklin Gutierrez, Joc Pederson and Chase Utley.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Logan Forsythe
LF: Andrew Toles
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
CF: Joc Pederson
RF: Scott Van Slyke
C: Bobby Wilson
SS: Omar Estevez
P: Julio Urias
Padres lineup:
CF: Manuel Margot
1B: Wil Myers
2B: Yangervis Solarte
RF: Hunter Renfroe
LF: Collin Cowgill
C: Austin Hedges
3B: Cory Spangenberg
SS: Allen Cordoba
P: Luis Perdomo
