Today could very well turn out to be an interesting day for the Dodgers. It appears as though a couple of roster changes will be made, including one that has never happened before. Up until now, Adrian Gonzalez has never gone on the disabled list in his entire major league career. Will that change today? Also, will Kenta Maeda be able to build on his success from his last game?
Yesterday, Dennis highlighted all of the issues that Gonzalez is dealing with, and how Adrian feels about going on the disabled list. Dennis also notes that while Gonzalez is not hurting the team by being on it, a little rest would do him a world of wonder. I harken it to when I was in labor, my doctor told me having an epidural was not giving in. I feel the same way about Adrian — resting and taking the time to heal will only benefit both him and the team in the long run.
It would make for a very clean move, since Joc Peterson is slated to return from the DL today after rehabbing his right groin muscle. This would allow rookie phenom Cody Bellinger to remain with the club for awhile longer, maybe until the end of Gonzalez’s DL stint. One would think that maybe Adrian is a little worried that Bellinger could replace him for good, but that will not happen. When healthy, Adrian is vital to the offense and this team.
Rich Hill‘s first rehab start did not go as well as one would have hoped, although it doesn’t seem to be because of the blister. Hill was supposed to go four innings, but instead he only faced six batters. He allowed two singles, a double, struck out two and walked one on 29 pitches.
“My finger held up well,” Hill said following the game. “Obviously disappointing in the fact that it was only two-thirds of an inning, but getting work in and everything like that was a success from a finger standpoint.”
Hill went on to throw 31 more pitches in the bullpen, and said that the blister did not bother him, and that this outing was more of rusty mechanics than anything. He will have at least one more rehab start before he returns to the Dodgers, when and where is yet to be determined.
Maeda returns to the mound tonight after having essentially pitched for his job last week against the Phillies. It was his first quality start since September of 2016, and said after the game it was a huge boost of confidence to him. Another long outing from him would further extend that confidence.
The Dodgers are in San Diego to begin a three game set against the Padres. Sitting at 15-14, Los Angeles needs to use these games to gain some ground in the NL West. It would be nice to see everyone start clicking all together and get another win streak started, which could easily be done facing the Padres and the NL Central last place Pittsburgh Pirates. First place Colorado is set to battle Arizona, and then the Chicago Cubs. If the Dodgers can go 4-2 against San Diego and Pittsburgh, they should have gained some ground on the Rockies before heading into Colorado where all the crazy things happen.
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