PHOENIX -- Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said the club intends to settle on a permanent role for versatile pitcher Carlos Frias during Spring Training, after using him as a swing man the past two seasons.
Frias has the arm resilience to both start and relieve, which has increased his utility to management. However, he hasn't been able to focus and refine his craft in either role, and Honeycutt said it's time to decide one way or the other to maximize his potential.
"He'll get at least two multi-innings outings this spring as we stretch out the starters, but then we need to make a decision which way to go," Honeycutt said. "His overall numbers as a reliever are better, but he's also had some good starts."
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In parts of two seasons, Frias has pitched in 32 games, starting 15. He is 4-6 with a 4.96 ERA and 1.538 WHIP as a starter, 2-0 with a 3.94 ERA and a 1.063 WHIP as a reliever.
His starting stats have been skewed with one awful start each year, allowing 10 runs to the Padres in a four-inning start last year and eight runs to the Rockies in a 2014 start that lasted two-thirds of an inning. His ERA over the other 13 starts is 3.07.
Frias said he's happy in either role, but would prefer to start if given the choice.
"When you start, it's easier to prepare because you have a routine and know what you have to do each day," he said.
Frias is almost certain to open the season at Triple-A if he is a starter, but would seem to have a slightly better chance to make the Major League club as a long reliever.