Julio Urias, the Dodgers' former top pitching prospect per MLB Pipeline and the No. 4 prospect overall in 2015, made his first MLB appearance in more than a year Saturday. He tossed a scoreless ninth inning during Los Angeles' 17-4 victory over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
The 22-year-old left-hander struggled early last season before being sent to Triple-A and having left shoulder capsule surgery on June 27, 2017.
"I can't lie. There was a time when I thought there was a possibility I would never come back to a Major League mound," Urias said. "Thank God, he helped me get here."
Prior to being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City last Monday, Urias had a 5.40 ERA in eight rehab appearances at three levels, with 19 strikeouts and seven walks in 11 2/3 innings. He pitched twice in the playoffs for Oklahoma City, allowing two earned runs in 1 2/3 innings.
Management still views Urias as a starting pitcher long term, but his slow recovery this year made a relief role the lone option.
"We just felt as an organization, what better time than now?" Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of the timing of his recall from Oklahoma City, which was eliminated from the playoffs last weekend.
"I'm very proud of him. As a young player to have so much fanfare and ability and expectation and to go through that injury and battle through adversity and find your way back to the big leagues is a credit to him, and his fight and the training staff in the Minor Leagues."