In addition to losing key members of their starting rotation in Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill, the Los Angeles Dodgers also began the season without Tony Cingrani available out of the bullpen.
The left-handed relief pitcher was beset by the same shoulder trouble that limited him to just 30 games last season. Cingrani appeared in four Cactus League games this year prior to being shut down indefinitely.
Before the shoulder soreness set in, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remarked that he sensed Cingrani was putting the trouble behind him. With Cingrani beginning the season on the 10-day injured list, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman recently said he was nearing the start of a throwing program.
That’s now taking place, which Cingrani is progressing through without any discomfort, per Jorge Castillo of the L.A. Times:
Roberts said Tony Cingrani has been stretched out to 120 feet and is pain-free as he recovers from a left-shoulder impingement in Arizona.
The Dodgers have not publicly revealed any sort of timetable for the 29-year-old. Though, Friedman surmised Cingrani would not require the same build up as Kershaw or Hill, given that he is not a starter.
Cingrani returning from injury would be a boon for a Dodgers bullpen that’s seen a handful of shaky performances. When healthy, Roberts relies on Cingrani to face right- and left-handed batters. He lamented not having that at his disposal while Cingrani missed time last season.
Like Kershaw and Hill, Cingrani became eligible to be reinstated on April 4.
