The Los Angeles Dodgers were hit with multiple injuries during Spring Training and players have continued to fall victim to the injury bug through the first two weeks of the season. Most recently, outfielders Carl Crawford and Scott Van Slyke were placed on the 15-day disabled list.
Los Angeles has managed to withstand the short-term injuries thus far, with Kiké Hernandez, Howie Kendrick and Trayce Thompson all making starts in left field. Crawford remains on track to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City this week.
Assuming all goes well, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Crawford will be reinstated from the DL on Sunday — the first day he’s eligible to be activated — for the three-game series finale against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Van Slyke isn’t nearly as close to returning, however.
“He’s doing core work, but isn’t doing any baseball activities at this point. I talked to him [Sunday] and he said he feels considerably better,” Roberts said.
“I would assume here in the next couple of days we’re going to get him back moving around. He’s going to go on a rehab assignment at some point. Whatever day he’s eligible (to be reinstated from the disabled list), I don’t see him being ready that day.” That date is Monday, April 25.
Roberts also said Van Slyke will remain in Los Angeles when the team begins their road trip in Atlanta on Tuesday. Appearing in four games prior to the back injury, Van Slyke had just one hit in nine at-bats, though did have two RBIs. Crawford played five games and went 3-for-11 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
