After making his MLB debut and bursting onto the scene in 2016, this season has been marred by injury for Grant Dayton. He was forced to the disabled list in April because of a left intercostal strain.
Then in early July, he was put on the DL due to neck stiffness. Dayton was reinstated July 20, only to land back on the disabled list eight days later because of the same issue. He threw multiple bullpen sessions, which left the Dodgers encouraged, and was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment.
While warming up for a start with Double-A Tulsa, Dayton was removed due to elbow discomfort. He immediately returned to Los Angeles for testing.
According to Cathernie Slonksnis of MLB.com, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the results weren’t conclusive and Dayton is shut down while the team awaits a second opinion:
Grant Dayton was sent back to Los Angeles on Saturday to get a second opinion on the left elbow soreness that he experienced during warmups on Friday before a scheduled rehab appearance for Tulsa. Test results on his elbow came back “unclear,” however, and the Dodgers are now seeking the second opinion.
Roberts said that the team has shut Dayton down until further notice while it awaits further testing for a more definitive answer.
Dayton was expected to spend one with with the Drillers, then join Triple-A Oklahoma City and come off the disabled list in September.
The rash of injuries have limited the 29-year-old to just 29 games with the Dodgers this season, in which he’s gone 1-1 with a 4.94 ERA, 5.72 FIP and 1.31 WHIP.
Although the Dodgers are still holding out hope, signs point to Dayton potentially missing the remainder of the season. Adam Liberatore, sidelined by a left elbow strain, was last said to be still in the early stages of his recovery.
