The Dodgers optioned Wrobleski to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Wrobleski did a solid job in his first four major-league starts, posting a 4.05 ERA and 15:7 K:BB over 20 innings. Someone needed to be sent down to make room for trade-deadline pickup Jack Flaherty, however, and the Dodgers have chosen to remove Wrobleski from the five-man rotation rather than fellow rookie River Ryan. The left-hander will rejoin the rotation at Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he's allowed five runs with a 17:3 K:BB across 10.1 frames this season.
Wrobleski allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against Houston on Saturday.
Wrobleski cruised through five frames, holding the Astros scoreless on two hits. He then allowed consecutive singles to begin the sixth but rebounded to retire the next pair of batters before Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts decided to pull the southpaw after a modest 82 pitches. That decision didn't work out well for the Dodgers, as Evan Phillips came in and surrendered four consecutive singles, allowing both inherited runners plus two more to score. Wrobleski later lost the opportunity for his first big-league victory when Houston put up two runs in the eighth frame. Despite the disappointing outcome for the rookie, his start was promising overall, as he tossed a career-high 5.2 frames and came within one out of a quality start. With James Paxton's recent release, Wrobleski has a good chance of sticking in the rotation even when Walker Buehler (hip) returns from the injured list.
Dodgers' Justin Wrobleski: Unable to get through five frames
Rotowire
Wrobleski did not factor into the decision in a win over the Red Sox on Saturday, allowing three hits and two walks over 4.1 scoreless innings. He struck out five.
Wrobleski fanned three of the first five batters he faced but struggled with his command throughout his 4.1 innings of work. The rookie threw only eight of his 17 first pitches for strikes and reached 83 pitches overall before being relieved by Yohan Ramirez in the fifth. On a positive note, Wrobleski induced 15 whiffs in the contest and hasn't allowed more than five hits in any of his first three starts to open the campaign. Saturday also marked the first scoreless outing for the lefty this season, though he's now allowed two walks in three straight.
Dodgers' Justin Wrobleski: Allows two homers in no-decision
Rotowire
Wrobleski did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 11-9 extra-inning loss to the Tigers, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts over five innings.
Wrobleski allowed two runs in the second inning and then two more on back-to-back homers to open the fifth. He generated only six swinging strikes on 84 pitches while leaning mostly on his fastball and slider. The rookie has surrendered eight runs (seven earned) and four long balls through his first two starts and his role moving forward depends on the health of the Dodgers' rotation after the All-Star break.
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Dodgers' Justin Wrobleski: Making another start
Rotowire
Wrobleski is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Tigers in Detroit.
The rookie southpaw will make a second turn through the rotation despite a so-so performance in his MLB debut this past Sunday. While taking a loss to Milwaukee, Wrobleski struck out four over five innings while giving up four runs on five hits and two walks. A matchup with a poor Detroit offense represents a good spot for Wrobleski to deliver an improved performance, but regardless of how he fares against the Tigers, he may not be guaranteed any starts beyond this weekend. The Dodgers could get Tyler Glasnow (back) and/or Walker Buehler (hip) back from the injured list immediately after the All-Star break, and Wrobleski would likely be the Los Angeles pitcher most at risk of losing his rotation spot in such a scenario.
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Dodgers' Justin Wrobleski: Goes five innings in MLB debut
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Wrobleski dropped to 0-1 after giving up four earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings in Sunday's 9-2 loss to the Brewers.
In what was his big-league debut, Wrobleski had some impressive moments, which included touching 98 miles per hour with his four-seam fastball on one of his four punchouts. The lefty, who turns 24 later this week, pounded the zone and gave up a couple home runs on the day. His fastball averaged 95 mph, and he threw mostly cutters and sliders off the fastball while mixing in a few changeups. Manager Dave Roberts hinted after the game that while he was impressed with Wrobleski's poise and pitch efficiency, the Dodgers will make a move to call up a reliever to take Wrobleski's place on the roster before Tuesday's game against the Phillies. The Dodgers have five healthy starters besides Wrobleski, but Roberts noted that the young lefty will likely be back in the majors soon.
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Dodgers' Justin Wrobleski: Promoted for MLB debut
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The Dodgers selected Wrobleski's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City, and he'll start Sunday's game against the Brewers.
The 23-year-old lefty is one of the organization's top prospects and will make his way to the majors after being at the Triple-A level for less than a month. Wrobleski posted a 3.06 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 13 starts for Double-A Tulsa to earn the promotion, and he allowed five earned runs with a 17:3 K:BB over his two outings with Oklahoma City.
Dodgers' Justin Wrobleski: Expected to debut Sunday
Rotowire
The Dodgers will call up Wrobleski from Triple-A Oklahoma City to start Sunday's game versus the Brewers, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Wrobleski was promoted to Triple-A in mid-June after posting a 3.06 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 67.2 innings with Double-A Tulsa. He's given up five earned runs in 10.1 frames since reporting to Oklahoma City, and he's now slated to make his MLB debut in a spot start Sunday in order to give the rest of Los Angeles' rotation an extra day of rest. The 23-year-old southpaw will be matched up against a Brewers offense that ranks seventh in the majors in runs scored (422) and 10th in OPS (.732).
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Dodgers' Justin Wrobleski: Moving up to Triple-A
Rotowire
Wrobleski was informed after his start Sunday with Double-A Tulsa that he has been promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City, Barry Lewis of the Tulsa World reports.
Wrobleski ended his run at Tulsa on a high note, holding Arkansas scoreless while striking out four and allowing five baserunners over a season-high seven innings. The 23-year-old lefty struck out less than a batter per inning over his 13 starts with Tulsa (8.3 K/9), but he issued just 13 walks and gave up only three home runs across 67.2 frames to finish his time at Double-A with a 3.06 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. Heading into the season, Wrobleski looked to be buried on the pitching-rich Dodgers' organizational depth chart, but he's now just one step away from the majors and would seem to have a decent chance at making his Los Angeles debut in the second half. Though Bobby Miller (shoulder) is due back from the injured list this week and Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) could return around the All-Star break, the Dodgers' starting depth has been tested with standout rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto (shoulder) joining Dustin May (elbow), Tony Gonsolin (elbow) and Emmet Sheehan (elbow) on the injured list.
