PHOENIX -- Already thin on starting pitching, enough that a 19-year-old takes the mound every five games, the last thing the Los Angeles Dodgers needed was Tuesday's nightmarish scare.
Kenta Maeda, the team's best starting pitcher this season not named Clayton Kershaw, was drilled under the right knee by a 95-mph Paul Goldschmidt comebacker, fell to the ground and was helped off the field in what appeared to be severe pain.
X-rays during the game at least provided some comfort as they were deemed negative. But for anybody who saw Andre Ethier take a foul ball basically off the same area where Maeda was hit, and then come away with a X-ray that was negative, a little skepticism was only natural.
"Obviously things happen in a game and in the season," said a seemingly relieved manager Dave Roberts, who saw his team's three-game losing streak to division opponents end with a 7-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
"I held my breath, certainly. Kenta's been such a consistent pitcher for us. In light of what's been going on this season and prior to [in spring training] -- that would have been a tough one."
If there is one thing that Maeda has shown in 13 starts with the Dodgers it is toughness. In his last four starts alone, he was hit in the right hand by a line drive (May 28 at New York) and then took Tuesday's shot that essentially deadened as it hit him, meaning his leg absorbed most of the force of the Goldschmidt screamer.
"I wasn't scared, but among all the hits I have taken in the past, it hurt the most," Maeda said through an interpreter.
It sure looked like it. Maeda did have the presence of mind to find the ball and throw it to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez for the out, but he went to the ground writhing in pain, rolling over a few times while clutching his right shin.
Roberts said the ball struck a nerve, which is why the pain was so intense. Maeda said the ball did not hit him flush on the shin bone.
Afterward, Maeda could barely move through the Dodgers' clubhouse. A teammate implored him to not "baby" the injury. A smile broke through Maeda's grimace.
Help is on the way for the pitching staff, but that help is still going to need some time. Both Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu are set to make their second of at least five rehab starts before they are allowed to return to the major leagues. McCarthy is coming back from Tommy John surgery, and Ryu had shoulder surgery last year.
In the interim, the Dodgers are giving a first look to teenage left-hander Julio Urias, who continues to make improvement four starts into what is expected to be a productive career. As of now, Urias is scheduled to make his fifth start, and second home start, Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Where the Dodgers would have gone had Maeda's injury been serious is not known. Zach Lee, who has already been called up once this season, could have been asked to return to the Dodgers.
Roberts insisted that Maeda will be fine to make his next scheduled start. Maeda, though was less definitive.
"It's hard to tell at this point, but I will reevaluate tomorrow," he said. "My hope is to start the next scheduled start."
When Maeda was hit in the hand during his New York start, the Dodgers called Urias back to the major leagues. Maeda got an extra day of rest and then returned to pitch effectively against the Atlanta Braves.
If he stays on normal rest, Maeda would pitch again Sunday at home against the Brewers. The next off day isn't until next week, so it's not as if the Dodgers could get Maeda an extra day of rest that way.
By the sound of it, the right-hander wouldn't want an extra day of rest anyway. He wasn't thinking that he was fortunate to escape serious injury Tuesday but was actually disappointed his day ended early.
"It was frustrating that I couldn't pitch through it," he said. "The last time I was hit in the hand, but I was able to pitch through it. But not this time. I was able to win both games so it is a little mysterious how things work out."
To his new Dodgers teammates, there is no mystery.
"The way he popped up and picked up the ball and threw it to first, I thought maybe he got his glove on it," teammate Justin Turner said. "But then he went right back down. I wasn't sure where it got him. Obviously we all know how tough he is. After New York he took the line drive off the hand and stayed in there. But as tough as he is, I don't think anyone wanted him to tough this out."
The way it looked, the Dodgers know it could have been much worse. The way it felt, Maeda was surprised the outcome wasn't different.
