To curtail the innings of Dodgers prospect Julio Urias and expand his versatility for later in the season, the team will assign him a role pitching out of the bullpen for triple-A Oklahoma City. Urias also will make some starts, Manager Dave Roberts said, but the team will administer strict pitch counts to those outings.
The more intriguing aspect of Urias’ assignment — which is still being developed by the organization’s player-development staff, Roberts said — is a relief apprenticeship. The Dodgers want Urias to know the quirks of bullpen life, like how to warm up on short notice and perform in short bursts, in case the organization needs him in the bullpen this year.