The Dodgers are no longer considering Brandon Beachy to start Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, manager Don Mattingly said Thursday.
Beachy has been on the disabled list since the season began, building back from Tommy John surgery in March 2014. The right-hander threw 92 pitches on Monday the Dodgers’ top minor league affiliate and will make at least one more before he returns to the big leagues.
“He’s going to pitch Sunday in Colorado,” for Triple-A Oklahoma City, Mattingly said.
Beachy is limited to a maximum of 30 days from the time his minor-league rehabilitation assignment began before he must return to the Dodgers. His assignment began June 16, so he’ll need to be activated immediately after the All-Star break and rejoin the Dodgers’ active roster — though not necessarily pitch — during their series July 17-19 in Washington, D.C.
Mattingly certainly made that sound like a possibility Thursday.
“We’re happy with where Brandon’s at,” he said. “He’s feeling good. I don’t think we’re ready to just throw him into the fire.”
As he did Tuesday, Mattingly again wouldn’t rule out the possibility of employing his second “bullpen game” this week.
He also wouldn’t rule out starting pitcher Zach Lee, who threw 76 pitches Monday for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. Lee missed a month with a tingling symptom in his right hand and has thrown five innings in his two starts since. Lee is limiting opponents to a .224 batting average in 12 minor league starts this season, 10 of which have come at Triple-A.