Injuries during Spring Training left Carlos Frias and Ross Stripling as the final options to round out the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting rotation. Stripling was named the club’s fifth starter in a mild surprise.
His Major League debut was a brush with history as Stripling carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants. He was removed after issuing a one-out walk, and Chris Hatcher promptly gave up a game-tying home run.
Los Angeles went on to lose the game in extra innings. After making eight starts, Stripling was forced into relief during the marathon game with the San Diego Padres on May 22.
The appearance meant Stripling wouldn’t be able to make his next turn in the rotation, so the Dodgers optioned the right-hander to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Saturday’s game was the first Stripling started for the Dodgers since May 19. He turned in five scoreless innings against the Boston Red Sox, baseball’s best-hitting team.
As for bouncing in and out of the rotation, Stripling said it’s kept him sharp, via Mark Whicker of the OC Register:
“Being in the rotation and the bullpen has kept me on my toes,” Stripling said. “You help in any way you can.”
Stripling was recalled from Oklahoma City on July 23 to at the time, give the Dodgers a needed fresh arm in the bullpen. He was sent down Aug. 2, and rejoined the club Saturday when Bud Norris landed on the disabled list with a back strain.
After getting called up in July, Stripling allowed just two runs in 7.2 innings pitched over three relief appearances. One of his outings came in the first inning when he took over for Norris, who exited due to injury after facing just two batters.
The 26-year-old Stripling is one of multiple pitchers the Dodgers have on an innings limit this season. He made 14 starts last season after missing all of 2014 following Tommy John surgery.
The Dodgers put the right-hander on the disabled list with lower body fatigue in June and Stripling spent what he called a frustrating month at the club’s Camelback Ranch Spring Training facility.
