DENVER -- The Dodgers named Julio Urías to start Friday night, which was expected, but the club also optioned reliever Pedro Báez to Double-A Tulsa, which was a surprise.
The 20-year-old Urias, closing in on an unspecified innings limit this year with a career-high 108, continues to hold down a starting slot until one of the four starters on the disabled list returns.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Urias won't stay in the rotation throughout September and October, but could fill a bullpen role. He said once Urias goes to the bullpen, he would not be asked to start again.
Casey Fien was recalled to take the place of Baez, who has fallen from the setup man role he had in April. The hard-throwing right-hander has been plagued by the long ball (11 home runs in 62 1/3 innings), as well as a slow pace and rhythm that has limited his progress.
Baez has pitched in 62 games, is 3-2 with a 3.61 ERA. He allowed one run in two-thirds of an inning Monday night.

Fien, claimed from Minnesota May 7, was 0-1 with a 3.80 ERA in 23 games with the Dodgers before being sidelined with right elbow tendinitis for a month, and has been pitching for Oklahoma City since being reinstated two weeks ago.