The Los Angeles Dodgers expect to be without Justin Turner for an estimated two weeks, and have yet to see the return of Logan Forsythe from the 10-day disabled list. Forsythe’s recovery from a fractured toe stalled and reset when hamstring tightness set in.
Forsythe is in the midst of a second rehab assignment with High-A Rancho Cucamonga. He played third base for the Quakes on Friday night, seemingly in preparation for what’s ahead. “We’ll pencil him in at third base for the most part,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Forsythe has played three games (two starts) at third base for the Dodgers this season. It’s a position he’s played 59 games (37 starts) in his career.
While Turner’s injury removes the Dodgers’ most consistent bat from the lineup, it allows for the team to keep Chris Taylor on the active roster. He’ll continue to see time at second base, along with Chase Utley.
“And essentially, not a straight platoon, but kind of split duties at second base with Chris Taylor and Chase,” Roberts explained.
Taylor and Utley have split time at second base since Forsythe was put on the disabled list. There was a stretch where Utley struggled at the plate while Taylor was tearing the cover off the ball, prompting Roberts to say it warranted more playing time for Taylor.
He started at second base and hit leadoff Friday night against the Miami Marlins, going 3-for-4 with a home run and finishing a triple shy of the cycle. On the season, Taylor is batting .346/.452/.603 with five doubles, five home runs and 16 RBI in 27 games.
Utley is hitting .216/.314/.311 this season, but has three multi-hit games and is batting .478/.536/.739 with two doubles, two triples and seven RBI in his past nine games (seven starts). Utley leads the Dodgers in triples.
Forsythe is expected to be reinstated from the disabled list on Tuesday.
