Jose De Leon shines in 2016 debut at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Jose De Leon made his long-awaited debut today for Triple-A Oklahoma City. The top right-handed pitcher in the Dodgers’ organization threw five shutout innings, allowing two hits, walking one batter and striking out nine. De Leon threw 53 of his 88 pitches for strikes.

The Dodgers are staggering their usage of De Leon, Julio Urias and perhaps ultimately other young pitchers — Ross Stripling has been discussed — to strategically take advantage of their limited innings this year. That’s why De Leon remained in extended spring training for the first month of the season.

It was the first game De Leon, 23, has pitched above the Double-A level in the regular season.

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About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.