The Los Angeles Dodgers have removed the last layer of bubble wrap from left-hander Julio Urias, the pitching prodigy who was eased into the major leagues as a teenager in 2016 and stamped with a "fragile: handle-with-care" label for a solid year after returning from major shoulder surgery in 2018.
Urias threw a career-high 101 pitches over five innings of a 15-3 victory over Atlanta in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series last Wednesday and returned on three days' rest to record the final nine outs _ throwing 39 pitches _ in Sunday night's 4-3 Game 7 win over the Atlanta Braves.
If this were 2019, the Dodgers would have given Urias, 24, at least three days and probably four days to recover from such a workload.
But Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Tuesday night's World Series opener against Tampa Bay that Urias was "available" in Game 1 and "certainly an option" to start Game 2 on Wednesday night.
It was unclear before Tuesday night's game who would start Game 2 for the Dodgers. Dustin May (one inning) and Tony Gonsolin (two innings) both pitched Sunday and might be available for an inning or two. The Dodgers may have to go with a succession of relievers beginning in the first inning.
"If you're looking at starters who can potentially take down a lot of innings (Wednesday), we just don't have versatility," Roberts said. "It's going to be a bullpen, whatever kind of game using various arms. And who starts that game, I just don't know yet."
Ace Walker Buehler will start Game 3 on Friday night on regular rest. Ideally, the Dodgers would have Urias start Game 4, which would align him for another possible relief appearance on three days' rest in Game 7 if the series goes the distance.
But the fact that the Dodgers were even willing to consider pitching Urias on one day of rest Tuesday night or two days' rest Wednesday night shows how differently they perceive Urias, who sometimes chafed at the strict pitch counts and regulated work schedules the team imposed on him.
"Yeah, I just think it's time," Roberts said. "It's taken a long time for us to get to that point (of) him overcoming injury, and I think we've been kind of cautious with him. But right now, he's as strong as he's ever been, and he's got experience. And it certainly helped that he was pretty efficient in Game 7."
Urias, speaking through an interpreter Tuesday, said he feels good "physically and mentally" and is willing and ready to pitch whenever the Dodgers need him.
"As long as I'm healthy, I will give 100%," Urias said. "God's timing is perfect. With the way the team has used me, it requires patience. But I was just waiting for my moment, and that (Game 7 save) was my moment."
Urias admitted he was a little surprised to be sent out for the ninth inning Sunday night when closer Kenley Jansen was ready in the bullpen. Urias needed only 29 pitches to retire the side in order in the seventh and eighth, and Roberts said he wanted to stick with the hot hand.
"I would be lying if I didn't say it was a bit strange to me, especially knowing that Kenley was out there and recognizing the way he works," Urias said. "He's a guy who really helps us out.
"He sets an example, and if I'm able to pitch the ninth inning, it's because he's shown us how to do it, and seeing him do it really helps us. But the moment they told me to go out for the ninth inning, I focused on getting those three outs."
