Dodgers Injury Updates: Justin Turner Hitting Off Tee, Rich Hill Improving, And Logan Forsythe Close To Throwing
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

While the Los Angeles Dodgers began the season with Tom Koehler and Justin Turner, among others on the 10-day disabled list, they’ve since had Logan Forsythe and Rich Hill go down to injury.

Forsythe was put on the DL due to inflammation in his right shoulder that in some part was attributed to moving to third base and needing to make longer throws across the diamond. Meanwhile, Hill was put on the disabled list because of inflammation in the middle finger on his throwing hand.

As a result, the veteran southpaw wasn’t able to make his scheduled start in Friday’s series opener against the Washington Nationals. Though, in the case of Forsythe and Hill, both expect return once they are eligible to reinstated from the disabled list.

Forsythe did not travel with the Dodgers to San Diego for their three-game series so as to continue with his rehab. According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, he might begin throwing as soon as this weekend:

Logan Forsythe, who went on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation resulting from longer throws from third base after taking over for Turner, said he might resume throwing by Saturday or Sunday.

Prior to Friday’s game, Forsythe was serving as the catcher for Turner, who was throwing in effort to keep his arm in shape. Forsythe is eligible to come off the DL on April 25.

Hill can also be reinstated Wednesday, which is when the Dodgers would again need a fifth starter. It would appear the club will immediately active him, as Hill deemed himself already healthy enough to start:

Hill, placed on the 10-day disabled list on Wednesday with a split fingernail on his left middle finger, said he played catch on Friday and his finger was healed. “I could have pitched tonight,” said Hill. “No issues.”

As for Turner, he advanced from dry swings to hitting off a tee:

Roberts said third baseman Justin Turner, already out nearly five weeks with a fractured left wrist, has begun hitting off a tee.

“The soreness is really starting to dissipate,” Roberts said. “He’s not ready for a rehab assignment, but he’s moving in the right direction.”

The Dodgers have not released a timetable for Turner’s return, and manager Dave Roberts reiterated Friday the team still isn’t certain of when that will be. As Turner continues to ramp up his level of activity, it will lead to a rehab assignment.