Dodgers calling up No. 4 prospect Stone

LOS ANGELES — After a number of days of holding the news underneath wraps, Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts lastly made it official following the crew’s 13-1 win over the Phillies on Tuesday.

Gavin Stone, the No. 4 prospect within the group per MLB Pipeline, will begin for the Dodgers on Wednesday in opposition to the Phillies and shall be making his Major League debut. Stone should be added to the 40-man roster earlier than the sport and the Dodgers will make a corresponding roster transfer Wednesday morning.

“This is something we’ve all been anticipating,” Roberts stated. “I think I can speak for everyone in the clubhouse. We’re excited for Gavin, and it’s going to be a fun day for Dodger nation.”

Stone’s debut will mark yet one more vital second for the Dodgers’ newest youth motion. Miguel Vargas and James Outman have been regulars within the lineup as rookies. Michael Busch made his Major League debut on April 25 in opposition to the Pirates.

But Stone’s fast ascent by means of the Minor Leagues makes this one of many most-anticipated pitching debuts for the group prior to now couple of seasons.

“Obviously, we’ve seen what he can do on the Minor League side,” Roberts stated earlier than Tuesday’s recreation. “To get him here in this environment during the season, I think, is beneficial in itself. Ultimately, if we decide to pull that lever, it’s going to be fun for all of us.”

Stone is ranked because the No. 2 pitching prospect within the group, however some evaluators imagine he’s extra polished and prepared for the Majors than high pitching prospect Bobby Miller. Stone actually made his case throughout Spring Training, putting out 14 over 6 2/3 scoreless Cactus League innings.

This season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Stone received off to a sluggish begin however was far more environment friendly in his two most up-to-date outings, permitting one run and putting out 15 over 9 2/3 innings.

The Dodgers are additionally calling Stone up with the thought to present their beginning pitchers some additional days of relaxation. Los Angeles has requested Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urías and Dustin May to take down numerous innings given the struggles of the Dodgers’ bullpen to start out the season.

Bringing up Stone offers these starters some additional relaxation and permits the younger right-hander to make his Major League debut at house. It additionally lets the Dodgers set their rotation for the anticipated sequence in opposition to the Padres this weekend in San Diego and subsequent weekend in Los Angeles.

Roberts already introduced that Kershaw will begin on Friday, and the remainder of the rotation shall be set as soon as that sequence begins, although May and Urías will certainly be within the dialog to pitch the next two days. That would additionally permit Stone to probably make a second begin subsequent week in opposition to the Brewers.

But first, it’s time to see what the younger right-hander does on Wednesday on the Dodger Stadium mound.