On Tuesday morning, the Dodgers placed left-handed pitcher Alex Wood on the injured list and recalled right-handed pitcher Josh Sborz. Wood was placed on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation.
Wood started the third game of the opening series against the San Francisco Giants. The 29-year-old left-hander took the loss pitching three innings allowing three earned runs, three hits, and three walks. It was his first start in his second stint with the Dodgers, in which he’s posted a 3.50 ERA and 405 strikeouts with the team.
Sborz made his major league debut in 2019, appearing in seven games and going 0-1 with an 8.00 ERA in nine innings while striking out seven. In five minor league seasons across the Dodgers farm system, the 26-year-old has posted a 3.53 ERA and 370 strikeouts with a record of 24-20.
The move is interesting many would have thought of Tony Gonsolin being the first pitcher recalled in case of injury to a starter. However, Gonslin did report to Summer Camp late and was behind schedule. Wood was slated to pitch Friday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks. With his injury, Sborz or Dennis Santana could start in what would most likely be a bullpen game.
Tuesday night brings one of the most intriguing matchups around baseball. The Dodgers and Astros will play for the first time since the Astros sign-stealing scandal was reported during their 2017 postseason run. Baseball fans will tune in hoping to see tensions rise, but due to restrictions from COVID-19, MLB promised severe discipline for fighting and instigating. Players can not make physical contact with any other players unless it is part of in-game action.
For many, 2017 is now a tainted title. It is still hard to see the legitimacy of it. Still, three years later, the Dodgers will look to get a bit of revenge when they visit the Astros.
“I don’t think a lot of opinions or the way guys think has changed in this time, but at the end of the day, we’re going to go out and win ball games,” said Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner in an interview last week.
The two-game series will be important, especially in this shortened season. The Dodgers come into Houston after a disappointing split of a four-game series against the rebuilding Giants.
Walker Buehler will make his 2020 season debut in the first game of the series against Houston. Buehler makes the start on his 26th birthday. The right-hander went 14-4 in 2019, with a 3.26 ERA striking out 215. He also earned his first All-Star game selection last season. Buehler will face left-hander Framber Valdez in the probable pitching matchup.
The second game of the series will see Dustin May start. The two-game series will see Dodger starters who did not pitch in the 2017 World Series but now stand at the top of the Dodgers future plans.
We will now see if the elephant in the room is addressed between these two ball clubs, but at least with no fans in the stands banging trash can now be heard loud and clear.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
I may be in the minority here but I really hope the Dodgers don’t go head hunting in Houston. That just seems like such a juvenile way to settle a score. The best way to make a statement would be to win each of those games by a dozen runs or more.
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Shorz???? Shows our lack of big league depth l guess.
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I have never been an Alex Wood fan. His delivery is too strange and injury prone and we see it again. He can be good when he has it all together but I would have preferred not to sign him again and go with young guys like May and Gonsolin. Not to mention other arms like White and Gray. And Sborz has not impressed in previous stints. White looked really good in his last outing and I would prefer to see him brought up.
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Sborz is strictly up for bullpen work to eat up non essential innings. They are keeping Gonzo and White and Gray stretched out in case other starters go down.
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We are the deepest team in baseball but if we have one area that we are a little thin it’s starting pitching in the minors that is ready to contribute in the big leagues. Yes we have May and Gonsolin but they are already pretty much big leaguers. If we have 2 starters go down then they will have to fill their spots and then who is next in line if someone else goes down? Is it Josiah Gray? Is it Mitch White? Are they really ready for that? It’s a nit picky point but one that can very well be tested. That’s why I wish we had some form of minor league games going on so guys could continue to develop.
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I’ll take my chances with May, Gonzo, Gray and White. What other organization can boast a group like that. Not to mention Urias and Buehler who are both young guns! The Angels would kill for just one out of that group!
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Just witnessed future Dodger closer. Thx Boston for refusing to take him in the Mookie deal! His slider is nasty! Oh baby!
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Turns out we probably shouldn’t have traded Andre Scrubb for Tyler White last year, but maybe I’m wrong about that. I’d like to get Bear’s opinion since he’s president of the Tyler White Fan Club.
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Caleb Ferguson with the GAS!!!!! Good lord here has this been? Yes please can I have another!?
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Tyler is just gonna light the Korean league up! Just watch! Keep us posted bear! We r looking at a lot of years of shutdown 8th and 9th innings with Ferguson and Graterol! Love Ferguson’s new slider! Our bullpen may be stronger than our starters this year!
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Move over Kenley Jansen.
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Not so fast Alex! Kenley’s not going anywhere just yet!
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It’s kind of tough to watch Kenley now though. He used to have the best cutter I’ve seen since Mariano Rivera slinging it 94-96. Now that cutter doesn’t cut quite as much and it tops out at 92 but most of his pitches tonight have been 88. There are now 4 other relievers in our own who have better stuff in Ferguson, Granderol, Kelly and Treinen. Not to knock Kenley because he’s still a good pitcher, he’s just a shell of his old self.
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Rivera’s threw his cutter at about 91-92 so it’s more about Kenley’s movement and location with his cutter than mph. Last year his location was off. And he needs to throw his slider more often. He can be pretty stubborn
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