TEMPE, Ariz. -- In most organizations, Ross Stripling wouldn't be a pitcher fighting for a rotation job during Spring Training. He would automatically be in it.
But the right-hander, who allowed two runs over three innings in the Dodgers' 6-2 win over Angels Thursday -- and threw another 12 pitches in the bullpen following his exit -- happens to play for one of the most pitching-rich organizations in baseball. It doesn't always have room for everyone who has proven himself on the Major League level.
There's a place for Stripling on this pitching staff. Exactly where he lands is TBD.
And this is nothing new.
"It's not frustrating," Stripling said. "Because now after four years of doing it, I've understood that's where my value is."
His value is that he provides depth. For several years, the Dodgers' pitching staff has been talented and deep, but also injury-prone. That's already proving to be the case this year, even with Opening Day still three weeks away.
It's very possible lefty ace Clayton Kershaw will miss a small chunk of time when the season begins, which will force the Dodgers to dip deeper into their depth chart. It's likely Stripling will be the first on-the-bubble starter called upon to fill the spot.
He hasn't been told anything definitively, and he's not the only pitcher the Dodgers are considering for a rotation spot. But it's fair to assume that if the season started tomorrow, and Kershaw wasn't ready, that the starting five would be Rich Hill, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Kenta Maeda, Stripling and Walker Buehler (though probably not in that order).
Stripling, who started 21 games and pitched out of the 'pen in his other 12 appearances last year, is taking nothing for granted. But having been through similar scenarios in the past, he'll be prepared.
"They tell you you're going to get built up and obviously if someone gets hurt ... just be ready," Stripling said. "They didn't say, 'Hey, you're the first man up,' or anything like that.
"Last year, multiple guys got hurt and I found my way into the rotation. That could very well be the way it goes this year again."
It's not often that someone who made the All-Star team the prior season goes into the following Spring Training with an undefined role. Stripling landed a spot for the first time on the National League roster last year after a breakout first half, and at the end of the full season, he was third-best among Dodgers starters with an average of 10 strikeouts per nine innings.
That would be plenty to justify a more defined role going into the following season. Except if you play for the Dodgers, and maybe one or two other teams.
"He's a valuable piece to what we're doing," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "We do see him as a Major League starter. But those valuable innings that he gives us, the ability to get lefties out, righties out, it's so valuable for our ballclub."
Stripling's view? He simply fits in to the Dodgers' formula -- specifically, that of president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman -- of having multiple players who can do more than one thing well.
Stripling pointed to position players Enrique Hernandez and Chris Taylor -- both big components of the Dodgers' pennant-winning run in 2018 -- as examples.
"I'm kind of that version of what [Friedman] needs in the pitching staff," Stripling said. "Maybe three years ago, two years ago, it might have bothered me a little bit -- the ambiguity of not knowing what my role was going to be. Now, I've accepted it, and I know I expect to get chances this year."
Dodgers claim Hart
The Dodgers announced on Thursday they claimed left-hander Donnie Hart off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers have designated right-hander Josh Fields for assignment.
Up next
The Dodgers will play a night game on Friday, hosting the Royals starting at 6:05 p.m. PT. The game will feature Ryu starting for the Dodgers, and Arnaldo Hernandez for Kansas City.