Dodgers' Brandon McCarthy: Favorite to make rotation

McCarthy is expected to make the Dodgers rotation, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Analysis:

The 33-year-old was already trending in that direction this spring, seeing a gradual increase in his workload with each start. McCarthy's 2016 season was marred by injuries, and he was ineffective when he was on the mound (4.95 ERA and 1.38 WHIP). His 5.8 BB/9 was an outlier last season, and may have been a result of pitching through injuries. The veteran righty has displayed improved control (7:1 K:BB ratio) over 13 innings this spring while maintaining his low-to-mid 90s fastball velocity. When healthy, McCarthy possesses deep-league value as a pitcher with decent strikeout potential and a favorable home park.