Three weeks in to Spring Training, and the injuries are starting to pop up for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The most significant injury of Spring Training happened last week when Gavin Lux tore his ACL running from second to third.
On Wednesday, Lux had surgery to repair that ACL. He also had some work done on his LCL.
Manager Dave Roberts told reporters before Wednesday’s game that the surgery “went well”, and that it confirmed that the damage to Lux’s LCL was ‘more than a sprain’. There is no timetable yet for his return.
Roberts also talk to reporters with regards to Tony Gonsolin‘s sprained ankle. Gonsolin had an X-ray on Wednesday that showed that it wasn’t fractured, but it’s not healing as quickly as they had hoped. An MRI may still be needed at some point.
Gonsolin will not start throwing again for several days, and it is unlikely he will be ready for Opening Day.
Some players are making strides in their return from the injured list.
Yency Almonte’s ramp-up has been slow played in his return from an elbow injury. He pitched to live batters today for the first time this spring, and is expected to be ready for Opening Day.
Daniel Hudson also pitched to live batters today for the first time this spring. Hudson is recovering from ankle tendinitis, and is unlikely to be ready by the end of March.
Miguel Vargas has started swinging at pitches again. He faced pitching today in the back fields, and is expected to fully participate in Thursday’s game.
Clayton Kershaw has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game. He pitched three innings Sunday on the back field, allowing one runs on four hits and striking out four. His next appearance will be in a Cactus League game, although that date has not been announced.
Spring Training now will be featuring more non-roster invites and minor leaguers as many Dodgers regulars have departed for the World Baseball Classic.
Thursday marks three weeks until the beginning of the season.
I’m not sure how many off days there are in the first 3-4 weeks of the season, but assuming the team will actually need 5 starters, it seems as though it’s now a contest between Pepiot and Grove to see who steps in for Gonsolin.
Based on what he did tonight, I’d almost have to say that Grove has a slight lead at this point. Jackson and Stone also have an outside chance but I’m almost certain that they don’t plan to add Stone to the 40-man quite yet and Jackson seems to now be considered a bullpen piece rather than a starter.
You know we’ve been talking about these “prospects” for more than a few years, and suddenly they are all 25 years old (except miller). A few injuries at the beginning of the year is a perfect opportunity throw them in the rotation and give them a chance to perform on a regular basis. 25 year old pitchers rarely come up and blossom into top or middle of the rotation pitchers. I’ve said before you listen to what they do, not what they say and none of these guys seem to have a future here.
Jeff, It is healthy for the Dodgers to get as many looks as possible at last year’s MiL pitchers. In my mental projection for season innings pitched, I included Kershaw and Gonsolin to provide together 32 starts. Meaning the team would need the equivalent of another full-time starter to compensate. Knowing options still available for pitchers has become a large factor in valuing them.
Hey Jeff, I’m going to spring training for the first time next week, got any good advice?
Hey Keith. Really excited for you. I haven’t gone for the past 3 or 4 years but it’s always a great trip.
Make sure you go to the back fields before the game. There are generally some workouts or a game going on and you can see some of the younger prospects who haven’t been invited to participate with the regulars.
Other than that, just enjoy the experience. I know you will. And you can report back to us here after your trip (or even during your trip).
We’ve also got tickets to tomorrow night game, USA vs Canada for the WBC. Thanks for the back fields tip.