LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers' rotation will feature yet another new face Sunday, with top prospect Jose De Leon scheduled to make his MLB debut against the Padres.
The 24-year-old right-hander is MLBPipeline.com's No. 2 prospect in the Dodgers' system and No. 35 overall. He holds a 2.61 ERA in 16 starts and 111 strikeouts in 86 1/3 innings this season with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
"I haven't seen a lot, but I know he's got a very good fastball, he's got a plus change, and he's got a breaking ball to go along with his mix," manager Dave Roberts said. "What I do know about Jose is he's a great young man, he's a hard worker, and he's got a lot of character. And he's from Puerto Rico. I'm anxious to learn a little bit more about him."
De Leon had his start to the season delayed due to an ankle injury and lost more time in May with right shoulder inflammation, but has had no issues in a second half in which he recorded a 2.38 ERA.
The team outrighted Shawn Zarraga from the 40-man roster on Sunday with no corresponding move, so no 40-man move will be required to add De Leon.
Book-ending De Leon will be Rich Hill on Saturday and Kenta Maeda on Monday. Hill was scheduled to make his second start as a Dodger on Tuesday, but a rain delay nixed that plan. In another unfortunate twist for the recently snakebitten left-hander, warming up Tuesday left his blister too tender to make a start the next day.
Maeda will be making his start on six days' rest, the third time he has done so in his last four starts. It's a schedule in line with what he did in Japan and should help keep him rested as the Dodgers gear up for the playoffs.
Worth noting
• Clayton Kershaw (herniated disk) will throw three innings or 50 pitches in his first rehab start for Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday. Brett Anderson (blister) will pitch after him.
• Alex Wood (elbow) said he will throw a bullpen session Monday and figure out a schedule to return from there. The left-hander underwent elbow debridement surgery in July and is expected to return to the bullpen.
• Andre Ethier (right tibia fracture) was in the Dodgers' clubhouse Friday, but was tight-lipped as far as when a return could come. He is so far 8-for-21 in six games with Rancho.