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LOS ANGELES — For the many wondering when Jose De Leon might finally get his chance in the major leagues, the answer has finally come. The right-hander will be called up on Sunday to start against the Padres.
#Dodgers have called up Jose De Leon. He is expected to arrive tomorrow.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) September 2, 2016
Jose De Leon will start Sunday for the dodgers.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) September 2, 2016
Source confirms @JonHeyman tweet: Jose De Leon starts Sunday for the #Dodgers.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) September 2, 2016
Rich Hill, scratched from yesterday's start because of blister, is expected to start tomorrow for #Dodgers.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) September 2, 2016
Dave Roberts confirms that @JDL_87 will start for Dodgers on Sunday.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) September 2, 2016
De Leon has a 2.61 ERA in 16 starts this season for Triple-A Oklahoma City, with 111 strikeouts and 20 walks in 86⅓ innings. The right-hander struck out 13 in 7⅔ scoreless innings against Colorado Springs on Sunday to clinch the American North Division in the Pacific Coast League for Oklahoma City, and has three straight starts of double-digit strikeouts.
De Leon has lasted seven innings or longer in five of his last six and six of his last eight starts. He has an active 17⅔-inning scoreless streak, and 40 strikeouts since his last walk.
He was originally scheduled to start Friday for Oklahoma City, which opens their postseason on Wednesday against Nashville.
The Dodgers right-hander, who turned 24 on Aug. 7, was rated the No. 25 prospect in baseball in Baseball America’s midseason rankings, ranked 38th at midseason by Baseball Prospectus, and rated No. 39 by MLB.com.
De Leon will be the 31st different pitcher used by the Dodgers this season, tying the franchise mark set in 2015, and he will be the club’s 15th different starting pitcher.