Major League Baseball

Dodgers send lefty Urias back to minors after brief debut

Published May. 28, 2016 8:45 p.m. ET

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NEW YORK (AP) Following a brief major league debut, the Los Angeles Dodgers have optioned 19-year-old pitching prospect Julio Urias back to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

In a corresponding move Saturday, the team selected the contract of right-hander Casey Fien from its top farm club.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says the team wanted another arm in the bullpen after Urias lasted only 2 2/3 innings Friday night. Los Angeles used five relievers in a 6-5 loss to the New York Mets.

Urias, one of baseball's top prospects, threw 42 of 81 pitches for strikes at Citi Field in a much-anticipated big league debut that lasted 59 minutes. He became the first teenage pitcher to start a game in the majors since Seattle's Felix Hernandez in 2005.

The left-hander gave up three runs, five hits and four walks while striking out three. He was on the hook for a loss until Los Angeles rallied for four runs in the ninth to tie the score.

''We thought Julio threw the ball well and where he's at and where our `pen's at, it was more of the fact that we need to get coverage in the bullpen for the next two, three days,'' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. ''So he's going to go back down there and make two or three starts. We'll see when it makes sense to get back him here, what's best for us and as well as him.''

The 32-year-old Fien had a 5.87 ERA and one save in six games with Oklahoma City. He struck out nine and walked two in 7 2/3 innings.

He was 1-0 with a 7.90 ERA in 14 games with the Twins this season and is 17-16 with a 4.05 ERA and one save over 268 major league relief appearances with Detroit and Minnesota.

Los Angeles claimed Fien off waivers from the Twins on May 7.

To make room for Fien on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated Triple-A outfielder James Ramsey for assignment.

Left-hander Alex Wood threw a bullpen Saturday and is scheduled to start Monday at the Chicago Cubs. Urias pitched Friday because Wood was pushed back due to a sore left triceps, an injury sustained while batting against St. Louis on May 15.

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