Dodgers News: LA Gets Good Update on Injured Julio Urias

The Dodgers pitcher threw a bullpen session today, and is on his way back from injury.

Julio Urias is on his way back from a hamstring strain that has sidelined him since May 18, when he gave up six runs over three innings, in what was a very uncharacteristic outing for one of the NL's top arms. He threw a 40 pitch bullpen session on Saturday, and his next step would be to face hitters at Dodger Stadium. 

#Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Julio Urías threw 40 pitches in a bullpen session today. Next step will be to face hitters at Dodger Stadium at some point. He’s still more than a week away from a potential return.

— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) June 17, 2023

Best case scenario is that he faces hitters within the next week, goes out on a quick minor league rehab assignment, and then joins the team some time during the next road trip that takes the Dodgers through Colorado and Kansas City.

The lefty has been ramping up his return since at least June 3, when he threw a 25-30 pitch bullpen.

Julio Urías threw “around 25-30” pitches and used his entire pitch mix in a bullpen session today, Dave Roberts said.

He’ll throw 3-4 innings in a simulated game on Tuesday, and if all goes well, the hope is he’ll be activated the following week.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) June 3, 2023

His return to the rotation would be a welcome sight for Dodger fans, as Julio's been known to go deep into games, and it would keep the struggling Dodgers bullpen behind the fence. 

Urias went 7 innings in two out of his last four starts, and if you drop the start against the Cardinals where he gave up six runs over three innings, his ERA is a very respectable 3.61.

His return would likely push out one of the bright young stars in the rotation like Michael Grove or Emmet Sheehan, but if Saturday night's 6 inning, no-hit performance by Sheehan was a sign of what's to come, the future is very bright in Chavez Ravine.