2015 Dodgers review: Brandon McCarthy

A look back at the 2015 season for Brandon McCarthy, which was cut short by Tommy John surgery in the first year of a four-year contract.

What went right

McCarthy's strikeout rate of 30.9 percent put him in select company. In Dodgers franchise history, only three pitchers have made at least four starts in a season and struck out at least 30 percent of batters faced — Hideo Nomo (1995), Clayton Kershaw (2014-2015) and McCarthy.

McCarthy struck out 10 against the Mariners on April 13, one of four Dodgers pitchers to whiff double digits in a start in 2015 (Kershaw 13 times, Zack Greinke and Brett Anderson once each).

The right-hander was 3-0 in his four starts, and struck out 29 against only four walks in 23 innings.

What went wrong

McCarthy in those four starts also had a 5.87 ERA and 6.22 FIP, thanks in part to a whopping nine home runs allowed. McCarthy ended up fifth on the team in home runs allowed despite facing only 94 batters.

In that April 13 game against the Mariners, McCarthy allowed four home runs with his 10 strikeouts, one of just 10 pitchers to have that odd combo since 1914, and the only one to do so with no walks.

Three of those home runs came on April 25 in San Diego, including one in the sixth inning, a three-run shot by Justin Upton on what would be McCarthy's final pitch of the season.

McCarthy tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, and had Tommy John surgery on April 30. He is expected out until the 2016 All-Star break.

2015 particulars

Age: 31

Stats: 5.87 ERA, 6.22 FIP, 29 K, 4 BB, 23 IP, -0.3 rWAR, -0.3 fWAR

Salary: $17 million, including an $11 million salary for 2015 and a $6 million signing bonus paid this year.

Game of the year

McCarthy pitched six scoreless innings to beat the Rockies on April 19, striking out six.

Roster status

McCarthy has three years and $31 million remaining on his contract, and will earn $11 million in 2016.