Alongside Sergio Romo and Kenley Jansen, Pedro Baez figured to be a staple in the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen at the outset of the 2017 season. However, Baez suffered an unfortunate injury when a comebacker hit him on the base of his thumb during a live batting practice session.
Baez was shut down in order to receive treatment on the injury, but the lingering pain forced him to be shut down for a second time, and he was sent for additional testing. The 29-year-old did not appear in any Cactus League games this spring, but did make an appearance in a Triple-A game at Camelback Ranch over the weekend.
Baez was among the five Dodgers who began the season on the 10-day disabled list. He is eligible to reinstated on Monday, April 10, when the Dodgers begin a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs.
Mindful of their aspirations to play late into the calendar, the club has taken a cautious approach with Baez. According to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, the right-handed reliever will join Oklahoma City for a rehab assignment and then join the Dodgers:
Baez is expected to rehab with OKC and then join the Dodgers next week when he is eligible to come off the 10-day DL.
Baez threw a career-high 74 innings over 73 appearances last season, pitching to a 3.04 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. He collected a career-best 83 strikeouts, though also walked 22 batters, which was his highest total in three seasons with the Dodgers.
Baez was joined by Andre Ethier, Brock Stewart, Scott Kazmir and Josh Ravin on the 10-day DL, while Yimi Garcia continues to recover from Tommy John surgery on the 60-day disabled list.
Although the Dodgers did have to deal with some early injury problems, they seemingly are in much better position than the injury-filled 2016 season. Last year, Los Angeles began the season with 10 players on the disabled list.
