Dodgers send Julio Urias back to minors after one start

Julio Urias made his highly-anticipated MLB debut on Friday night, but that’s all Dodgers fans will get to experience of him for now.

The Dodgers are sending Urias down to the minor leagues on Saturday, a day after he made his first and only career start.

Urias, a 19-year-old prospect the team signed in 2012, struggled with his control in his debut. The teenager allowed five hits and walked four in 2.2 innings against the Mets. He only threw 42 strikes in 81 pitches, striking out three. Despite giving up three runs and leaving down 3-1, Urias took a no-decision as the Dodgers scored four runs in the 9th to tie the game before losing 6-5.

The Mexican pitcher started on Friday in place of Alex Wood, who had a forearm issue. The Dodgers were unsure at the time whether they would keep Urias on the team to be a part of the pitching staff, but they decided to send him down.

Urias will return to Triple-A Oklahoma City for now where he was dominating the competition. Urias was 4-1 with a 1.10 ERA, having only allowed five runs in 41 innings. His strikeouts-to-walk ratio was also very strong with 44 Ks to just eight free passes.

The promising youngster will likely be back with the big club before the end of the season.