Dodgers to call up teenage pitching sensation Julio Urias to start Friday
The Los Angeles Dodgers will promote top pitching prospect Julio Urias to start Friday against the New York Mets.
The 19-year-old left-hander, who signed with the organization at age 16, will be making his major-league debut. The is just the latest similarity to result in comparisons to another Dodgers teenage sensation:
Julio Urias will be 1st 19-year-old phenom to pitch for @Dodgers since another LHP from Mexico: Fernando Valenzuela. pic.twitter.com/DP6qxjM4Rh
— MLB (@MLB) May 26, 2016
Julio Urias is 5th @Dodgers pitcher to start at 19; Sandy Koufax ('55), Don Drysdale ('56), Joe Moeller ('62), Dick Calmus ('63). @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) May 26, 2016
MLB.com notes Urias likely will shift to the bullpen to keep his innings under control; he never has thrown more than 87 2/3 innings in his three seasons in the minors. He pitched just 80 innings last season because of cosmetic surgery on his left eye, which had partially closed after childhood surgery to remove a tumor.
Left-hander Alex Wood, who had been scheduled to start Friday for the Dodgers, was scratched because of triceps soreness.
