Price's spring debut has Dodgers impressed

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Dating back to 2011, Dodgers left-hander David Price said he has a two-week period in which he feels pain in his throwing elbow. It’s not an injury, per se, but it’s a level of pain that usually sidelines him after his first live batting practice session.

That routine was no different this season for Price, who called the process of getting back on the mound “a grind.” After throwing a bullpen and live BP session during the start of camp, Price’s elbow began to hurt. He had to stop his buildup process due to the pain.

Usually, during a six-week Spring Training, Price would still have time to be prepared for a full starter’s buildup. But because of this year’s condensed Spring Training, Price, who hoped to be built up to five innings before the end of spring, is now behind schedule. Over the last five days, however, Price was able to throw multiple bullpen sessions, an indication that he’s fully healthy again.

“I got through that period and now everything feels good,” Price said. “To go out there and throw the ball with conviction, just playing catch and to be able to work on stuff in bullpens. That makes it more enjoyable and makes it easier.”

Price’s performance in his first Cactus League game on Wednesday was also an enjoyable one for the Dodgers. The veteran left-hander threw one scoreless frame, striking out Guardians regulars Amed Rosario and José Ramírez. Price got them both on a curveball, a pitch he only threw 23 times last season.

The velocity on Price’s fastball was also a pleasant surprise. Price was around 91 mph for most of his four-seamers, but did flash a pair of 93 mph heaters. That was a good sign for the left-hander given that it was his first game action since last October.

“It feels good to be able to throw the baseball the way I used to throw it, and to feel good while throwing it,” Price said. “[Manager Dave Roberts] has been late to a couple of my bullpens, the last couple. He hasn’t seen me throw in a couple of days. So I’m sure he liked what he saw [on Wednesday.]”

Roberts did, indeed, enjoy what he saw out of Price.

“I thought the real highlight was the way David threw the ball,” Roberts said. “Just to make his first spring outing, the velocity was as good as we’ve seen it in quite some time. The curveball was a really good pitch. He threw a changeup. Just a really positive outing from David.”

Now that Price is back on the mound, the Dodgers will have to figure out his role moving forward. Roberts said keeping Price as a one-inning reliever isn’t out of the equation. There could also be value in continuing to build him up to provide more insurance for the back end of the rotation, which has had some ups and downs this spring.

Price was in contention for one of the last two spots in the rotation at the start of camp. But his two-week layoff hurt his chances. Left-hander Andrew Heaney and right-hander Tony Gonsolin will break camp with the two spots, though that situation will remain fluid throughout the season.

Roberts said he’ll have a conversation with Price before the end of spring to determine which role the left-hander feels most comfortable with. But the Dodgers came away impressed with his first Cactus League performance. If healthy, Price could pitch his way into an increased role this season.

“I’m sure if I continue to throw the ball the way that I’m capable of throwing it and continue to feel good, my role would increase,” Price said. “[I’m just] going to go out there and continue to throw the baseball the way I did [Wednesday] and good things will happen.”