Prior to landing on the disabled list in May, Adrian Gonzalez had the longest active streak at 1,833 games played over parts of 14 seasons without going inactive. He returned less than weeks later, only to again go back on the DL after appearing in just 20 games.
Gonzalez has been hampered by forearm soreness and herniated discs in his back. The disc trouble is an issue the veteran first baseman has dealt with in previous years. The Los Angeles Dodgers were better equipped to offset his loss, thanks to Cody Bellinger.
The rookie’s presence allowed for Gonzalez to take the time necessary to get back to 100 percent, or as close to it as possible. He wound up missing 55 games prior to being reinstated from the 60-day disabled list last month.
The 35-year-old was forced to an early exit on Aug. 28 due to back tightness. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts downplayed any concern over the matter.
Gonzalez immediately returned to the lineup but now has only appeared in two of the Dodgers’ past seven games.
According to David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio, Gonzalez will miss the bulk of the series with the Colorado Rockies due to receiving an epidural:
Adrian Gonzalez told me he received an epidural today and is down next 3 games. Hope is this will put back issue behind him for rest of '17
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) September 7, 2017
The injection is the second Gonzalez has been administered this season. The first came in June, when he and the Dodgers held some hope a return prior to the All-Star break was feasible. Gonzalez also was given an epidural in May 2016, which led to improved production at the plate as pain dissipated.
Roberts recently said the lingering back trouble may lead to the veteran first baseman being left off the Dodgers postseason roster. In 15 games (13 starts) since returning last month, Gonzalez is 12-for-53 with five doubles, one home run, six RBI, a .250 on-base percentage and .377 slugging.
