LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers’ midseason homegrown rotation additions are starting to materialize, as the club is expected to call up left-handed pitching prospect Justin Wrobleski to make a spot start on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers, according to multiple sources around the league. He was the Dodgers’ ninth-ranked prospect entering the season, according to The AthleticsKeith’s law.
Wrobleski, 23, has emerged as one of the fastest-rising prospects in the Dodgers system and is set to make his major league debut after just two Triple-A appearances. The Dodgers selected Wrobleski in the 11th round of the 2021 draft fresh off Tommy John surgery. The left-handed pitcher quickly regained the premium qualities that make him so intriguing: a fastball that hits in the upper 90s, along with a cutter, curveball and changeup.
The Dodgers have reduced the walks that hurt Wrobleski’s draft stock and collegiate production with Clemson and Oklahoma State. His progression as a professional has taken him another step forward this season. In 13 starts (78 innings) between Double A and Triple A, Wrobleski has a 3.23 ERA while opponents have hit just .239.
9 pitches, 9 strikes, 3 strikeouts!@Dodgers‘No. 29 prospect Justin Wrobleski pitches an immaculate inning for the @greatlakesloons: photo.twitter.com/5eIqtB5NPK
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) April 21, 2023
Wrobleski’s arrival immediately fills a short-term void for the Dodgers, who have been dealing with an increase in injuries in their rotation and want to give their healthy starters as much extra rest as possible.
The club has a 5.03 ERA in 78 2/3 innings by its starters since Yoshinobu Yamamoto suffered a rotator cuff strain last month. Walker Buehler is back on the injured list as he works to rebuild after a second Tommy John surgery. Clayton Kershaw had a brief hiccup in his rehab from shoulder surgery — the left-hander threw a bullpen on Thursday and said he felt strong — that doesn’t seem like an immediate concern but has shifted his timeline for a return somewhat.
The injuries, combined with shortened starts for several of their starters over the past week, have left the Dodgers in a position where they have had to rely even more on their depth. They haven’t had a starter complete five innings since Gavin Stone’s complete-game shutout more than a week ago.
Rather than burden their relievers even further with a bullpen game, they give the ball to Wrobleski.
(2022 photo by Justin Wrobleski: Tracy Proffitt/Four Seam Images via Associated Press)