Dodgers notes: Kyle Hurt debut, a look at the starting rotation

The rookie looked great!

© Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to the show, Kyle Hurt!

The Dodgers made an interesting move yesterday, as they called up Kyle Hurt from the minors. This was a name I honestly wasn’t expecting to see in 2023, but the Dodgers clearly saw something they liked.

What’s not to like?

In the minors, he had a higher strikeout rate than any other pitcher. In Double-A he struck out 39.4 percent of the hitters he faced. Then in Triple-A, he struck out 37.6 percent of the hitters he faced. Yeah, that’ll do!

He barely spent time with Oklahoma City, as he appeared in only six games after being called up. Hurt tossed 23.1 innings, posting a 3.09 ERA and 3.31 xFIP. Strikeout numbers aside, those are pretty good numbers.

The Dodgers opted to give him a shot with a few weeks left in the season. I mean, you might as well, right? The division has been won already. He had to be added to the 40-man this offseason to be protected from the Rule-5 draft. See what the young guy can do.

Well, Hurt lived up to the hype. He may have exceeded it.

He tossed two scoreless innings and retired all six hitters he faced. In the first inning of his major league career, he faced Tatis, Soto and Machado. He retired all three on nine pitches. Talk about making a great first impression. Hurt then struck out the side in the ninth inning.

For those curious, he could be a potential option for the bullpen in October.

I’m just saying.

With how many injuries and question marks there are, he would be a massive addition due to his strikeout upside. Maybe I need to just calm down a little, as it’s only been one game. But it’s hard to not get excited!