Along with the significant injuries and surgeries for Brett Anderson and Frankie Montas, a handful of Los Angeles Dodgers have incurred a few bumps and bruises since camp opened.
On Saturday, Alex Guerrero was a late scratch against the Arizona Diamondbacks due to left knee soreness. The 29-year-old Cuban native resumed baseball activities on Monday and was scheduled to start as the designated hitter on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs, but was scratched from the lineup once more.
Guerrero was replaced by Andre Ethier, who on Monday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said would not participate in batting practice as he was battling a hand contusion. However, Ethier was among those to take BP and his issue isn’t believed to be serious.
Dodgers top pitching prospect Julio Urias was saddled with groin soreness that kept him off the mound a few days. The left-hander returned on Monday, throwing two innings of live batting practice.
According to DodgerTalk host David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports Radio, Urias is scheduled to make his 2016 Cactus League debut on Friday:
Julio Urias will pitch in his first Cactus League game on Friday
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) March 8, 2016
It’s currently unclear if Urias will start or pitch in relief when the Dodgers host the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Camelback Ranch. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. PT, with the game being televised on FOX Sports West.
Dodgers 2016 Spring Training Schedule
Urias recently said his goal is to reach the Majors in 2016, which he also targeted last season. In 13 starts with Double-A Tulsa in 2015, Urias went 3-4 with a 2.77 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and averaged 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings.
His outings with the OKC Dodgers at the end of the season didn’t produce similar results, as the left-hander was 0-1, and posted an 18.69 ERA and 3.92 WHIP over 4.1 innings pitched. Like Urias, Howie Kendrick has also been saddled by groin soreness in recent days.
The veteran second baseman was scratched from Monday’s lineup as a precaution. Kendrick has improved and will be re-evaluated daily, per Bill Plunkett of the OC Register:
Howie Kendrick (right groin soreness) being held out of #Dodgers workout today. Will be re-evaluated daily but no MRI planned, Roberts said
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 8, 2016
Kendrick has appeared in two games thus far. Had he managed to play against the Cleveland Indians, Kendrick was slated for his first start at third base since July 23, 2006.
