The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Edwin Rios on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation and recalled Edwin Uceta ahead of Wednesday’s series finale against the Chicago Cubs.
“It’s something going on with his right shoulder that’s really affecting his swing. Eddie is not a guy that’s going to make excuses, but that’s kind of what he’s dealing with,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Rios’ injury.
He heads to the IL mired in an 0-for-32 skid with four walks, 12 strikeouts and one hit by pitch. Rios’ last hit was a one-out single in the fifth inning on April 13. He flied out two innings later to begin the offensive drought.
“I think it’s something that’s over time been othering him and impeding his swing,” Roberts added. “I don’t know the timeline (of how long it has been an issue), though.”
On the season Rios has just four hits in 51 at-bats. He homered against the Oakland Athletics on April 6 and admitted at the time there had been some internal pressure mounting. Though, Rios added he felt better results were on the horizon.
Uceta is back with the Dodgers for a second time this season. He previously was recalled last week to provide a fresh arm in the bullpen and that wound up amounting to serving as an opener in a bullpen game.
Uceta allowed two runs and had two strikeouts over two innings in his MLB debut. “Obviously I misfired a couple pitches and didn’t feel as great as I would’ve liked,” Uceta said after he took the loss.
“But it was also very exciting and a great experience to make my debut. Going into the first inning I was a little bit nervous. But after that first pitch I felt pretty relaxed out there.”
Kelly nearing return with Dodgers
Although the Dodgers have lost another player to the IL, they should soon see Joe Kelly return. He has been out since the beginning of the season due to right shoulder inflammation, but has continued to make progress while rehabbing at the team’s alternate training site.
Kelly recently revealed he underwent offseason surgery to remove a cyst from his right shoulder. The Dodgers had not previously disclosed the operation due to Kelly’s desire to keep it private.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, participate in our shows and giveaways, and more!
