The Los Angeles Dodgers are counting on several players returning from the injured list over the next few weeks, and among them are Dustin May and Edwin Ríos, both of whom are on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
May joined the Dodgers’ top Minor League affiliate last week for an outing and second overall rehab start after pitching in the Arizona Complex League. May allowed just one run but also issued three walks and only pitched two innings in his first start for Oklahoma City.
“He just didn’t command the baseball,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the day after May’s outing. “It was good that he did the two innings and threw another 10 (pitches) in the ‘pen. But it just speaks to how far away he is.
“As far as you know, you can feel good, but you’ve still got to command the baseball. I think part of it was his first time back on the mound, seeing competition, so you get a little overamped.”
May was improved his second time out, collecting six strikeouts over three scoreless innings. May’s velocity neared triple digits and he didn’t issue any walks while holding the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Houston Astros affiliate) to two hits.
May figures to make at least one more rehab start for OKC — likely two — before getting activated off the 60-day injured list. May’s return to the Dodgers starting rotation will be a new acquisition of sorts and could potentially influence the team’s approach at the MLB trade deadline on Aug. 2.
Ríos starts down comeback trail
Out since June 3 due to a right hamstring strain that Roberts described as a “Grade 3 or Grade 4 tear,” Ríos also was with the Oklahoma City Dodgers on Thursday night to begin his rehab assignment.
Ríos started at third base, playing five innings and going 0-for-1 with a strikeout but also reaching on a hit by pitch and walk.
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