The health and availability of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ roster is trending upward across the board, and that includes Will Klein progressing toward a return in time for October.
The right-hander completed a bullpen session Tuesday, which is a good sign that he could return to the mound this season.
“I think that Will throwing is good. He’ll be in the stay hot camp, which he was last year, and we’ll see how that goes. So as long as he’s throwing, certainly trust him, and for him to be upright is a good thing,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Klein’s last appearance came on July 31 against the Boston Red Sox. He has been sidelined since Aug. 1 due to bone chips in his right elbow.
The 26-year-old started out on the 15-day injured list, but was transferred to the 60-day IL on Sept. 2 in order to make room for Blake Treinen on the active roster.
Treinen himself was just reinstated from the 60-day injured list after recovering from a right elbow injury of his own. He missed more than two months because of right elbow inflammation.
The Dodgers elected for a rest-and-rehab approach with Klein rather than surgery, which has ultimately worked in the team’s favor. Klein reported improvement with his right elbow roughly a week after landing on the IL.
Although signs are pointing toward Klein being available to pitch again this year, it won’t come during the regular season. Because he was transferred to the 60-day IL, Klein is not eligible to be activated until Sept. 30, which is three days after the season ends.
Whether or not Klein ends up on the playoff roster depends on the organization’s confidence in him after missing two months, and any other possible bullpen injuries.
Edwin Díaz rehab assignment update
In other bullpen news, Edwin Díaz is close to rejoining the team after beginning his rehab assignment on Sunday with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The Dodgers’ plan for Díaz was updated to have him pitch back-to-back days starting Wednesday, and then possibly joining the team for their series finale against the Miami Marlins.
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