While plenty of attention has been given to the Los Angeles Dodgers being without Clayton Kershaw, and deservedly so, starting center fielder Joc Pederson is also on the 15-day disabled list. Like Kershaw, Pederson was placed on the DL on July 1, with his stint retroactive to June 29.
After crashing into the center field wall at Miller Park on a catch to rob Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Chris Carter of extra bases in the eighth inning, Pederson remained down on the ground and grabbed at his right shoulder. He was immediately removed from the game and sent for X-rays.
They came back negative and the Dodgers diagnosed the 24-year-old with a bruised AC joint. After minimal improvement, Pederson received a cortisone shot that was going to render him unavailable for multiple days, which prompted the DL stint for what was upgraded to a sprained AC joint
Although there hasn’t been much concern over severity of the injury, it’s not known when Pederson will come off the DL. “After the break [Pederson will return],” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Friday.
“As far as how soon after the break, uncertain. He hasn’t swung a bat yet, he’s moving around, he’s in Arizona. The soreness has dissipated but when he comes back is uncertain.”
Pederson hit .236/.328/.476 with 16 doubles, 13 home runs, 33 RBIs, a .341 wOBA and 116 wRC+ in 75 games this season. He’s second on the team in doubles and home runs, and third in wOBA and wRC+.
Trayce Thompson has assumed center-field duties with Pederson unavailable, making nine consecutive starts prior to sitting Friday night. The Dodgers called up Andrew Toles for the second of their four-game series, who spelled Thompson in what was his Major League debut.
