Julio Urias throws live BP, on track to start Friday for Dodgers

PHOENIX -- Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias threw approximately 30 pitches in two simulated innings of live batting practice on Monday morning, and is one step closer to appearing in a Cactus League contest.

The Dodgers' top pitching prospect, and a consensus top-6 prospect in baseball, is slated to pitch Friday against the Angels at Camelback Ranch, though it hasn't been decided whether he will start or relieve.

"Yesterday he threw two innings simulated and he feels good today," manager Dave Roberts said on Tuesday.

Urias was sidelined briefly last week after feeling groin soreness during his throwing to hitters last Monday. After getting shut down for a few days, Urias threw a bullpen session on Friday, then again to hitters today.

He will throw a light bullpen session on Wednesday.

The Dodgers have a pair of split-squad night games on Saturday, against the Cubs at Camelback Ranch and against the Mariners in Peoria.

Urias doesn't turn 20 years old until August, and put up a 2.77 ERA in 13 starts in Double-A in 2015, with 74 strikeouts and 15 walks in just 68⅓ innings. This offseason he was rated as the fourth-best prospect in baseball by Baseball America and MLB.com, fifth by ESPN and sixth by Baseball Prospectus.

"Special. Special young man," Roberts said. "The repeatability with his mechanics for a young pitcher is impressive. The sharpness of his breaking ball, the late life to the fastball, the glove-side command of the fastball, he's pretty impressive. There is a lot to like."