Jose De Leon was reinstated from the disabled list on Tuesday and made his second start this season for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Facing the Round Rock Express (Texas Rangers affiliate), De Leon tossed three perfect innings with six strikeouts.
The Round Rock lineup featured seven players who have Major League experience. De Leon struck out five consecutive batters at one point, including the side in the second inning consistent of Joey Gallo, Justin Ruggiano and Ike Davis.
Carlos Frias followed De Leon with four strikeouts over six scoreless innings as the OKC Dodgers cruised to a 7-1 victory.
De Leon now has 12 strikeouts to two walks and allowed just two hits over eight innings pitched this season.
A clip of his first start back from the shoulder soreness was provided via the Oklahoma City Dodgers’ Twitter account:
HIGHLIGHT: Jose "K" Leon was "en fuego ?" last night!@JDL_87 '16 Stats: 8IP, 15 Ks, 2 H, 2 BB, 0.00 ERA! pic.twitter.com/9ezR4LwyND
— OKC Dodgers (@okc_dodgers) June 8, 2016
De Leon’s 2016 campaign was delayed as he remained in extended Spring Training in part due to an ankle injury. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did previously indicate the organization planned to hold the right-hander back as a way to protect against his workload this season.
De Leon reported arm soreness after his debut on May 3, and was formally placed on the disabled list with right shoulder soreness on May 16 (retroactive to May 14). In split time last season with High-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Tulsa, De Leon went 6-7 with a 2.99 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 163 strikeouts in 114.1 innings pitched.
He was 2-6 with a 3.64 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 16 starts for the Drillers. De Leon entered this season ranked among the top right-handed pitching prospects, and along with Julio Urias, one of the best duos in the Minors.
While De Leon is thought to be someone who can help the Dodgers rotation this season, he’s not yet on the radar. “Right now, Jose is just making his starts,” manager Dave Roberts said on Tuesday. “I haven’t had any conversations (with front office) as far as Major Leagues and what we would expect out of them.”
