With the start of the postseason around the corner, perhaps even more important for the Los Angeles Dodgers than their play on the field right now is getting their injured players healthy.
Joe Kelly is currently on the 10-day injured list due to a shoulder inflammation, although his return seems to be just around the corner.
Kelly threw a simulated game this past week and came out of it feeling good, although the real test came on Monday when he faced batters with more intent behind it. “Really well,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts described Kelly’s latest work.
“He threw 20-something pitches, mixed all of his pitches, and came out of it feeling normal soreness. Really good command, stuff was 95-97 (mph), curveball had the shape we wanted. He’s expected to do it again [Wednesday] and then we’ll see where we’re at, but very encouraging.”
Despite the limited time remaining until the start of the postseason, Roberts is confident that Kelly will be ready.
“We’re kind of butting up against it but I think if we can get him four or five appearances, whatever that looks like, I think that will be plenty,” he noted.
Activation just around the corner for Baez
The other injured reliever for the Dodgers is Pedro Baez, although he is dealing with a groin strain as opposed to an arm injury. Baez seems to be ahead of Kelly in his recovery as Roberts indicted he could be activated from the IL as soon as this week.
“Pedro is going to throw [Wednesday]. He’s going to throw an inning, 20 to 23 pitches, and if that goes well, an activation some time later this week is very possible,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers’ bullpen has struggled a bit in recent weeks, so getting both Baez and Kelly back will of big importance ahead the upcoming postseason run.
Pederson expected back over the weekend
Joc Pederson is also out right now, although his is not injury-related as he was placed on the paternity list with him and his wife Kelsey expecting their second child.
Players are allowed to be on the paternity list for up to three days, so Pederson is expected to return for the weekend series against the Houston Astros.
“I think it is three days,” Roberts said. “I expect him to be back with us on Saturday, because of an unusual Friday off day.”
AJ Pollock, Edwin Rios, Matt Beaty, Chris Taylor and Kiké Hernandez are all options in left field during this week’s series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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