The Los Angeles Dodgers had another injury issue crop up Friday afternoon as relief pitcher Tom Koehler was removed from his appearance due to an apparent injury. Koehler retreated to the clubhouse and was immediately sent for an MRI.
Koehler gave up a home run to start the third inning, then walked a hitter and got a groundout before issuing his second walk. He threw one pitch to the fifth batter faced, when Yasmani Grandal approached the mound and signaled to the dugout.
Grandal was joined on the mound visit by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and assistant athletic trainer Nate Lucero. Koehler and Lucero had a brief conversation before the right-hander was removed from the game.
According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, the MRI revealed that Koehler has a mild strain of anterior capsule in his right shoulder and could be out weeks or even months:
Dodgers reliever Tom Koehler said he could be sidelined for “weeks” or “months” after being diagnosed with a mild anterior shoulder capsule strain suffered in Friday’s game against the White Sox.
The injury is obviously as tough blow for Koehler, who is trying to revive his career as a reliever with the Dodgers after signing with them this offseason.
Koehler has a history of shoulder injuries, most recently spending time on the disabled list last season due to right shoulder bursitis.
The 2017 season was a particularly difficult one for Koehler as he struggled with the Miami Marlins as a starter and wound up being optioned to Triple-A and eventually traded to the Toronto Blue Jays.
He found some success as a reliever with Toronto though, which is one reason why the Dodgers decided to take a chance on him with the intention of utilizing him in that role.
With the timetable being weeks or months, Koehler will most likely start the season on the disabled list. The injury doesn’t require surgery though, so Koehler is optimistic that he will be able to pitch at some point this season.
