Carlos Frias could force Dodgers to re-think middle innings in October.

Carlos Frias

Carlos Frias shut out the Washington Nationals for six innings in his first major-league start Wednesday. (Michael Owen Baker/Staff photographer)


Call it rational thought, but when Carlos Frias arrived in the Dodgers’ clubhouse in August, the tendency was to force the rookie pitcher into a limited array of roles.

Emergency spot starter.

Long reliever, preferably during an inconsequential blowout.

That’s what happens to 24-year-old rookies who had never pitched above Double-A baseball prior to the current year, who had an ERA in the fives during his first Triple-A season, right?

Carlos Frias, apparently, is no ordinary rookie.

“As of right now, there’s no plans to give Carlos another start,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. “Yesterday may have been an indication why. We’ve had a middle-innings issue at certain times.”

Other than closer Kenley Jansen and left-hander J.P. Howell, the bullpen the front office envisioned for this season has taken an unusual share of lumps.

Brian Wilson, Chris Perez and Brandon League — former closers, all — have been shuttled in and out of middle-innings roles. Right-hander Chris Withrow was arguably the team’s best set-up man in April before having season-ending Tommy John surgery. Jamey Wright, signed as a long reliever, has been slotted as more of a left-handed specialist because right-handers are hitting .283 against him this season. Paul Maholm‘s knee exploded.

The Dodgers’ bullpen is not in shambles, but there’s room for a talented reliever or two to elbow their way in to the middle innings. Pedro Baez is one. It sounds like Frias could be another.

Frias, who started 20 of 21 games this season in the minors, says he’s ready for the new role.

“I came prepared to pitch,” he said. “Whatever they say, I’m prepared in my mind. Try to do my job and keep pitching good. Maybe I’ll get an opportunity, you never know.”

If Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu were to pitch the first three games of the postseason, Mattingly all but ruled out Frias for a potential game four. “You’d have to know if he’s built up; you don’t want your starter going out there and throwing three innings,” the manager said.

So, even though he’s still taking batting practice with the starters, Frias is in the bullpen to stay.

The Dodgers could roll out an October bullpen of Jansen, Howell, Baez, Frias and probably three others. Let’s say Wright, Wilson and League.

That’s not how they drew it up, but is it ever?