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The Los Angeles Dodgers‘ rash of rotation injuries has created a wealth of opportunities, with another rookie set to take the mound Tuesday against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates
Right-hander Emmet Sheehan will make his fourth career start, one day after rookie righty Michael Grove was solid over four innings in an emergency start against the Pirates. The Dodgers earned a 5-2 victory in their return from a 3-3 road trip in which they struggled against the Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals, both last-place teams
Dodgers slugger Max Muncy hit a home run on Monday, his 19th of the season and first since June 2
Grove’s latest opportunity arose when All-Star left-hander Clayton Kershaw went on the injured list due to shoulder soreness on Monday.
Every Los Angeles starter from the Opening Day rotation has now been on the IL, including Julio Urias (hamstring), Noah Syndergaard (finger) and Dustin May (forearm). Grove missed time with a groin injury, and he only made the roster to start the season because Ryan Pepiot had an oblique injury.
And that list doesn’t include two-time All-Star Walker Buehler, who has been out all season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Sheehan (2-0, 2.65 ERA) does not have overpowering velocity but has been effective nonetheless. He is coming off a five-inning outing at Colorado on Thursday, when he gave up three runs and earned the win.
“I think the changeup was a little better than it usually was, which was good,” Sheehan said about the outing. “I was getting it in the right spot, just down below the (strike) zone, which is where I was trying to go.”
Sheehan’s first career win came on June 23 against the Houston Astros when he gave up two runs over six innings. He has not faced the Pirates
After Sheehan pitches on Tuesday, the Dodgers will send a third consecutive rookie to the mound with right-hander Bobby Miller pitching on Wednesday
The Pirates will have their own rookie on the mound on Tuesday, as right-hander Luis L. Ortiz (2-3, 4.11) will face the Dodgers for the first time
Ortiz started Thursday against the San Diego Padres and gave up four runs over 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision. One start prior, on June 23, he was dominant against the Miami Marlins, giving up one run over a career-best eight innings en route to a 3-1 win.
When the Pirates pulled off a series victory over the visiting Dodgers in April, they stole 12 bases in 13 chances in the three games. They were less aggressive Monday, going 0-for-1 on steal attempts against Dodgers All-Star catcher Will Smith
Pittsburgh rookie Nick Gonzales had two of his team’s seven hits on Monday in his 10th career game but was thrown out trying to steal second base in the fourth inning. He has now recorded multiple hits in consecutive games for the first time.
“Just going about it every day, taking it one day at a time,” Gonzales said entering the series. “Starting out a little slow my first few games here. I’ve had a few slow games before in Single-A, Double-A, Triple-A. It happens. Good to be rolling.”
In two games since returning from the injured list after recovering from lower back inflammation, the Pirates‘ Bryan Reynolds is 0-for-8 with a walk
–Field Level Media
