The Los Angeles Dodgers concluded a brief homestand by sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates to extend their winning streak to a season-high five games. They begin a four-game series with the Colorado Rockies on Thursday, then head to AT&T Park to play the San Francisco Giants in a three-game set that begins Monday.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided a little more clarity as it pertains to the starting rotation, naming Alex Wood and Julio Urias the starters for Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Roberts previously announced Hyun-Jin Ryu and Clayton Kershaw would start the first two games of the series with the Rockies.
Ryu is coming off the 10-day disabled list Thursday, which is the first day he’s eligible to be reinstated. While Roberts did not extend beyond Sunday, signs point to Brandon McCarthy and Rich Hill taking the ball early next week.
McCarthy threw a simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, while Hill made his second rehab start for High-A Rancho Cucamonga. McCarthy can be activated on Monday.
As for left field and first base, Cody Bellinger’s services are again needed in the outfield in the wake of Andrew Toles’ forthcoming surgery to repair the torn ACL in his right knee. “Short term, left field is going to be Bellinger,” Roberts said.
“We’ll kind of mix and match. Obviously, it creates more of a runway for Cody, and some opportunities for other guys.” The others Roberts spoke of include, Brett Eibner, Kiké Hernandez, Chris Taylor, Chase Utley and Scott Van Slyke.
Eibner and Van Slyke were recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday to replace Adam Liberatore and Toles on the active roster.
Roberts intends to give Utley and Van Slyke an opportunity to play first base. Adrian Gonzalez’s recovery is being accelerated in response to Toles’ injury.
As for the void it created at the top of the lineup, that’s expected to be filled by a combination of Hernandez, Joc Pederson and Taylor. “I like [Pederson] getting four or five at-bats,” Roberts said. “It could change but right now with where we’re at, I feel good with Joc in the lead off (spot).”
He’ll give way to Hernandez or Taylor when the Dodgers face a left-handed starter.
