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Mattingly doesn't want to rush teen phenom Urias

SAN DIEGO -- Don Mattingly said it's not his call, but he said it would be "unfair" to call up 18-year-old left-handed starter Julio Urias from Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga to be a situational left-handed reliever for a Dodgers stretch run.

"He may come up and tear it up, but I don't think it's fair to him," Mattingly said of the Mexican phenom and untouchable prospect. "There are times they come up and it puts them behind. Dee [Gordon] is a good example. He came up maybe before he was ready. Maybe if he [Urias] gets another year, you don't have to do the back-and-forth thing."

Urias, who was allowed to pitch only 54 1/3 innings in 18 starts last year, was allowed to increase that to 82 2/3 innings this year in 19 starts and five relief appearances. In the 137 professional innings, he has 172 strikeouts.

Mattingly conceded he has some concern with J.P. Howell the only left-hander in the bullpen, but less concern because Jamey Wright is effective against left-handed hitters.

Paco Rodriguez is still recovering from a strained teres major muscle with no return date set. Paul Maholm is out for the year with knee reconstruction. Onelki Garcia never pitched this year after offseason elbow and knee surgery.

If first-round pick Chris Reed had been willing to relieve, he might have been in the Major Leagues by now. Right-hander Yimi Garcia is a possible September callup.

Ken Gurnick is an associate reporter for MLB.com.
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