The Los Angeles Dodgers plan to limit Julio Urias’ innings and workload in 2017 did not pan out as they had hoped, as he wound up requiring season-ending shoulder surgery.
Given that he is still just 21-years-old, the Dodgers are taking things slow with Urias in his recovery in effort to better ensure that he still has a long, healthy career. So even though Urias is just about eight months removed from surgery, he has yet to step on a mound and most likely won’t anytime soon.
According to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, Urias is making progress with his throwing program:
Julio Urias said his throwing program has progressed to point that he is long-tossing from 120 feet. Next step? 135 feet. Not expected to throw off a mound before #Dodgers break camp
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 12, 2018
Barring any setbacks, Urias is on a timetable to be back at full strength around the All-Star break. In theory, he could make an impact for the Dodgers either as a starter or out of the bullpen in the second half of 2018 season.
It is also not out of the question that the Dodgers decide to elect to keep Urias in the Minors and plan for him to finally take on a larger role in 2019.
Regardless of the route taken, the team has been optimistic Urias has a bright future and will make a full recovery from his anterior capsule surgery.
Over parts of two seasons with the Dodgers, Urias is 5-4 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 45 walks and 95 strikeouts across 100.1 innings in 23 games (20 starts).
