MLB LOOK AHEAD

Dodgers turn to Stripling, bullpen vs. D-backs

Field Level Media

June 25, 2019 at 6:31 am.

Los Angeles right-hander Ross Stripling is scheduled to make his first start since April 25 when the Dodgers play the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday in Phoenix.

Stripling (3-2, 3.08 ERA) will get the call to fill the spot of left-hander Rich Hill, who was placed on the injured list last week due to a forearm injury. Hill is expected to be out until at least early August.

“We see him going forward in that role,” manager Dave Roberts said of Stripling rejoining the rotation.

Stripling, a 2018 All-Star with the Dodgers, was in the rotation to begin the season because of injuries to Hill and Clayton Kershaw, making six starts and posting a 1-1 record with a 2.65 ERA, including throwing 5 1/3 scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Diamondbacks on March 29.

He has made 14 consecutive relief appearances, not pitching more than two innings in any outing. Roberts said he is hoping to get four innings from Stripling on Tuesday.

“He’ll get the start and then we’ll see from there as far as the bullpen,” Roberts said.

Stripling likely will be followed by lefty Julio Urias, who has five starts among his 17 appearances. His most recent outing was a three-inning start against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, when he allowed no runs and one hit.

Arizona will go with left-hander Robbie Ray (5-4, 3.87 ERA), who will be making his third start this season against the Dodgers. He is 0-1 and has allowed six runs in 12 innings for a 4.50 ERA vs. Los Angeles.

Ray has had success over this career against Los Angeles, going 7-4 with a 2.89 ERA in 17 starts, striking out 139 in 102 2/3 innings.

He will try to cool off Cody Bellinger, who leads the majors with a .353 batting average. He reached base four times — single, double, two intentional walks — on Monday night, when the Diamondbacks won the opener of the three-game series, 8-5.

In the past two games — one at home and one on the road — a female fan has run onto the field to try to get to Bellinger.

“I’m just trying to play a game, I don’t think I should have to worry about who is coming on the field and whatnot,” Bellinger said in the locker room Monday night. “I think it could be dangerous. I know it’s innocent right now, but it could be dangerous.”

Arizona’s Ketel Marte remained hot Monday — going 2-for-4 with two runs — after missing the Saturday and Sunday games because of a groin cramp. He has multiple hits in seven consecutive games and in 10 of the past 12. The 25-year-old is hitting .540 (27-for-50) in those 12 games.

“Having Ketel Marte back in the lineup is a huge boost for us, a huge push for us,” manager Torey Lovullo said on MLB.com. “We need that positive push every time we can get one. He’s done a good job of resting up and taking care of his body to make this happen.”

Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker has a nine-game hitting streak with three homers, including a three-run shot off Kershaw on Monday.

Arizona corner infielder Jake Lamb could return as soon as Tuesday. Lamb, who has been out since April 3 because of a left quadriceps injury, finished a rehab assignment Monday night at Triple-A Reno.

Lamb went 7-for-39 (.179) with a homer and seven RBIs in 12 games for Reno. He was 4-for-15 (.267) with no homers and two RBIs for the Diamondbacks before getting hurt.

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