Article content continued

Morrow was essentially let go by the Padres last season after suffering from shoulder fatigue. It was the latest in a career riddled by injuries that kept him from being a Kershaw-like ace starter.

But when the call came from Dodgers vice president of baseball operations Alex Anthopolous last winter — Morrow’s GM in his Toronto days — he saw opportunity.

“He said we believe in your stuff when you’re healthy,” Morrow said, recalling the conversation. “We want to see you healthy. If everything works out for you, we’ve got a spot for you.”

He started the season at triple A, but since being promoted from Oklahoma City in late May, Morrow’s role increased to the point where he is heavily relied upon in the Dodgers bullpen, perhaps their clearest advantage in what shapes up to be a tight showdown with the Astros.

Even though he wasn’t used much in San Diego in 2016, Dodgers scouts saw his velocity was trending up at the end of the season. Familiar with him from their Toronto days, Anthopoulos made the pitch and at $1.25 million US as a top end of the deal, the risk was minimal for the highest-payroll team in the majors.

“I’m pretty focussed on this right now,” Morrow said when asked to unpack his rise the past seven months. “I know I had a really good regular season and the numbers were good and I threw the ball well.

“I’ve just got to stay focussed. Whatever happens in the future … they decide if they like you.”

Based on his performance this season if not the Dodgers, somebody will. Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts isn’t shy about sending Morrow out in high leverage spots to set the table for Jansen, whose 41 saves were tied for the most in the NL, his work punctuated by a 1.32 ERA.