Heading into Sunday’s series finale against the Nationals, the injury bug has bitten the Dodgers quite harshly. Entering Opening Day, the squad was relatively healthy, but as the second full week of the regular season approaches, several key players continue to remain absent from play.
Hard-throwing reliever Brusdar Graterol was forced to begin the year on the 10-day injured list for unspecified reasons, which later turned out to be COVID-related complications. Nevertheless, the weekend has brought good news for the 265-lb. righty, who finally seems to be close to a return.
Seemingly, the “final box for Graterol to check” is being able to prove he can pitch twice in three days. Once he passes this hurdle, he’ll be prepared for major league action. Some feel he might be ready to compete within a week.
Swingman Tony Gonsolin, who was included on the Opening Day roster as a member of the relief crew, is on the opposite end of the spectrum. The 26-year-old righty has been sidelined with shoulder inflammation, and according to manager Dave Roberts, “is still a ways away.” Gonsolin did not throw a regular season pitch before being placed on the IL.
Slugger Cody Bellinger was sent to the 10-day injured list this week with a leg bruise, but there is hope he could return as early as next Friday for the beginning of the Padres series on the road. Bellinger’s injured list stay can be retroactive to April 6 if needed, but there’s certainly no hurry to bring him back.
“That’s the hope, but we’re not going to push him,” Roberts said of Bellinger’s prospective return. “You know how we kind of operate. So once we get the go ahead from the training staff, I know he’s eligible to return I think on Friday. So that would be the hope, but it’s not a hard date.”
In the meantime, the team will continue to get a look at 26-year-old outfielder Luke Raley, who took Bellinger’s spot on the active roster.
Outfielder Mookie Betts remains on the active roster while dealing with a severe bout of back stiffness. Betts ran and played catch on Saturday, but he was not included in Sunday’s lineup. With Monday’s day off, Betts will have had six straight days of rest.
“The hope for me is that he’ll be back in there Tuesday,” Roberts said of Betts. “But we’re not going to put him in there unless he’s ready to go.”
Edwin Rios got the start in right field on Sunday.
Reliever Joe Kelly remains in uniform with the team, but he’s still listed on the 10-day injured list, and there’s no timetable for his return.
Kelly has been throwing since late February, but there’s no indication how far he has progressed. Furthermore, there have been no statements on the exact specifics of Kelly’s injury, although it was reported early in camp that he was dealing with some type of illness.
In the meantime, fans await a corresponding roster move after the club claimed righty pitcher Ashton Goudeau off waivers from the Giants. Goudeau was moved to the 40-man roster on Sunday, but there are 43 players currently listed there, with Caleb Ferguson and Tommy Kahnle exempt after being placed on the 60-day injured list. One would assume there might be some type of COVID provision involved with Goudeau’s inclusion.
Great win today. If ZacMac and CT3 continue to play the way they have, Mookie and Belli may just have to ride the bench. 🙂
Kenley looked spectacular out there for his inning today. Velo and movement were really terrific. Problem is, we never know which KJ we’re getting. Rules never to be broken: Don’t use him two days in a row. Never bring him into a game with runners on base. Really happy that Doc let Treinen work out of that situation in the 8th.
Glad to see Kenley is back to being the “official” closer again.
Until he gets roughed up next week. 🙂
I agree. Only use Jansen with a multiple run lead, never back to back, never multiple innings and never more than 20 pitches. That should help keep him out of trouble.
8-2. Using a lot of backups. Can the first team guys keep that pace?
Kelly. Illness. That doesn’t tell us much. He didn’t look sick at the ring ceremony.
The Dodgers, who are never very free with injury information, seem particularly vague with Kelly. That fits a pattern where they refuse to mention the word Covid (maybe they can’t unless the player allows it). I’m really beginning to wonder if somewhere in the past 15-16 months he caught Covid and has had lingering health problems because of it. Not enough to keep him totally out of uniform, but enough to keep him from performing at the level they need in order to activate him. It’s really the only thing that makes sense to me.
https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/1381386648865230849
(Skip showing some love for his “closer.”)
8 pitches. He should be good for an inning Tuesday.
If this team has a weakness it is clearly the lack if depth in the outfield. Shouldn’t have to use both our utility men in the outfield. Hopefully mookie will be back soon. Never a real believer in bellinger so am glad ZacMac can play there when required.
Injury list is mostly spare parts, except maybe gonsolin. No idea who they will actually replace on the roster but that will be interesting.
Pollock, Bellinger and Betts, with Taylor and McKinstry sounds deep enough to me. We just need to get back to full strength so we can start winning some games.
Yes but they are not outfielders and will be needed elsewhere, especially if Rios and/or lux aren’t capable of holding down a full time position, something that is quite possible. Whole lot of flexibility if we had a 4th outfielder.
Kenley came to the park early according to Davis and was working on his mechanics related to his line towards the plate when he releases the ball. What ever they worked on, it worked well. I totally believe in Bellinger, especially the further he is away from his shoulder surgery. I think he has tinkered with his swing a little too much, but the raw power and natural ability is impossible to miss. Betts is the catalyst though. He is the one who needs to set the table. Turner’s consecutive game on base streak ended at 39. Figured he would have a tough time with Scherzer. Only weak link right now offensively is Beaty. Still hit less. Raley has only had one at bat, but they really like the guy. Rios hit some shots, but they were right at someone. I would rather see the scubeenies get work now early in the season than lose Mookie and Belli down the road. When Belli, Pollock and Betts are out there, it is one of the better defensive outfields in the majors.
Bummer, I just checked the schedule for the OKC team and they no longer play Colorado Springs so I won’t get to see them this year.
Nice piece on catching Bear.
I think my days of viewing baseball in person are nearing an end. I’m not going up to Chavez Ravine, Anaheim is close but I have no interest in them. Where is minor league baseball being played? I’m thinking of a road trip soon, if I drive by a park and a game is being played I might buy a ticket.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes park is right off of the 15N just past interstate 10. Box seats are really reasonable and I have attended a few games there. Close to the action, and the kids play hard. Their schedule can be accessed from the Dodger web site by going to minor league affiliates.
You could always go to Anaheim when the Dodgers roll in there for their interleague series.