LOS ANGELES -- Two opposite ends of the starting pitching spectrum will be paired Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium as the Dodgers and Padres meet in the third game of a four-game series heading into the All-Star break.
Right-handed Rule 5 draftee Luis Perdomo, 23, will be making his seventh start for the Padres.
Right-hander Brandon McCarthy, 33, will be making his second start of the season for the Dodgers while just over 14 months removed from "Tommy John" elbow reconstruction surgery.
Both will be coming off impressive outings.
McCarthy, last Sunday allowed two hits and a walk with eight strikeouts in five scoreless innings against the Rockies in his first Major League start since early last season.
A day later, Perdomo, relying on his recently-developed sinker, held Arizona to three runs (two earned) on nine hits with five strikeouts over six innings at Chase Field in his best start of his rookie season.
Both managers were happy with the strides made by two pitchers coming from different directions.
McCarthy wasn't expected to return to the Dodgers rotation until after the All-Star break. But his minor league rehab assignment was cut short after only four starts (5.27 earned run average) after Clayton Kershaw went on the 15-day disabled list eight days ago with a herniated disk.
"We kind of sped it up a little bit with Brandon due to the circumstances," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "But Brandon was excited about getting back. And I thought he was as sharp as could be hoped in his first start. There are some limitations moving forward."
McCarthy said his fifth start since the start of the 2015 season was a step forward but not the final destination.
"I feel I can get deeper into games," he said after his return start. "I don't think you can celebrate anything until the end of the season."
As for Perdomo, the promising youngster figured to be at the back end of the Padres bullpen this season. The Dominican Republic native had never pitched above Single-A when the Padres acquired him from Colorado following the Rule 5 draft.
Perdomo had a 9.88 ERA when he made his first Major League start in an emergency on May 14. His ERA was still 9.50 when injuries to other starters forced the Padres to move him permanently into the rotation on June 15.
Perdomo is 2-0 in four starts since with a 5.48 ERA. But he has made gains with his command with each outing and has a 3.75 ERA in his last two outings, each of which qualifies as a quality start.
"We really like Perdomo's stuff and the way he has progressed this season," said Padres manager Andy Green. "He's been a quick learner while thrown into the fire. I think we're looking at someone who fits into our rotation plans for years to come."
The Padres are 3-1 in Perdomo's four starts as a regular member of the rotation.
