As expected, the Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Justin Turner from the 10-day disabled list ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Cincinnati Reds. Brett Eibner was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to make room for Turner on the Dodgers active roster.
Turner had been on the DL with a Grade 1 hamstring strain since May 19. He was hopeful to miss the minimum 10 days, though was not going to rush the recovery process. The third baseman joined High-A Rancho Cucamonga for a rehab assignment earlier this week, going 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Turner then participated in a simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, fielding grounders and further testing his hamstring by doing plenty of running.
The 32-year-old is batting .379/.453/.493 with 13 doubles, one home run, 17 RBI, a .414 wOBA and 160 wRC+ in 39 games this season. Turner led the National League in batting average at the time he was placed on the disabled list.
Eibner had six hits, two of which were home runs, and six RBI in 33 at-bats over 17 games (seven starts) with the Dodgers. He’s thrown multiple bullpen sessions of late, under the watchful eye of Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt.
Manager Dave Roberts recently said Eibner was making progress toward being prepared to enter a game in relief; he last pitched in college.
Eibner is hitting .258/.296/.455 with two doubles, one triple, three home runs and 10 RBI over 21 games this season with Oklahoma City.
