Dodgers hope to ease Stripling’s load with time in minors

In the span of about seven weeks, Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Ross Stripling has gone from taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning of his major league debut to being optioned to the minors.

Stripling, who attended Southlake Carroll and Texas A&M, had his career delayed by Tommy John surgery in 2014. The Dodgers hope to curb his workload coming off the surgery with stints in the minors.

“All along, we were trying to figure out that some point at the end of May — once he made our roster — to figure out how we could curtail some innings in the middle of the season,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told the Los Angeles Times. “And then be able to use him in some capacity, either out of the ’pen or as a starter in August or September — or whenever that time may be.”

Stripling understands the desire to monitor his innings closely, but it’s not easy. In his first-career start on April 8, he left the game after 7  1/3 innings despite not allowing a hit. He was at 100 pitches and had walked four. It was the smart and conservative move by the Dodgers.

“It stinks to be on an innings limit,” he said. “But that’s where I am this year. I think at this time, the elbow, it feels great. But if throwing three innings gives me the ability to throw seven at the end of the year, then I’m all for that.”

That’s what the Dodgers want to happen. They want him available for a postseason run in the final months of the season. He threw 71  1/3 innings in the minors in 2015. This season, he has thrown 45  2/3 innings.

“I wouldn’t say I’m physically deteriorating by any means, but I’m just constantly losing it around the 75-pitch mark,” Stripling said. “So now it’s about getting stronger, get on another shoulder program like I was when I was rehabbing. Just make sure everything is as strong as it can be so there’s zero fatiguing in any of my starts.”

After beginning his career 0-2 with four no-decisions, Stripling finally earned his first victory May 13 against former Texas A&M teammate Michael Wacha. Stripling beat the Cardinals despite allowing four runs in five innings. He also collected his first major league hit, off Wacha.

“It wasn’t necessarily my sharpest game by any means,” Stripling said. “I don’t think me and Wacha will look back and think this was the best game either of us pitched, but it was a lot of fun.

“To get my first hit off of him is kind of funny. Then to get my first win, too, is pretty cool.”

The former Aggies agreed the loser would buy dinner — girlfriends included.

“I’m definitely getting the lobster,” Stripling joked. “Maybe a nice bottle of wine, maybe a steak to go.”

Hometown notables

▪ Jason Coats (TCU) tied his career-high with five RBIs on May 22 for the White Sox’s Triple A affiliate Charlotte Knights. Coats was 3 for 4 with a homer, double, walk and two runs scored. The outfielder is batting .300 with four homers, nine doubles and 17 RBIs.

▪ Right-hander Nathan Karns (Arlington Martin) has pitched effectively as the Mariners’ fifth starter. Seattle has won seven of his nine starts, including the past two in which he combined to allow four runs on nine hits in 10 innings. He has 51 strikeouts and 20 walks with a 3.53 ERA in 51 innings.

▪ Left-hander Kyle Bartsch (Hurst Bell) hasn’t allowed a run in his past 3  2/3 innings (three appearances) with the Royals’ Double A affiliate Northwest Arkansas. He has steadily lowered his ERA since allowing five runs in two innings on April 11.

This story was originally published May 28, 2016 at 9:24 PM with the headline "Dodgers hope to ease Stripling’s load with time in minors."