The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Zach McKinstry on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 22) with a right oblique strain and recalled DJ Peters from their alternate training site ahead of Friday’s game with the San Diego Padres.
McKinstry felt discomfort during batting practice and was scratched from the lineup in the series opener due to lower back stiffness, and Roberts implied an IL stint was likely. “I think he’d have to be able to swing a bat,” Roberts said of what would be required from McKinstry to avoid going on the IL.
“But we’ve still got to look not only at the short term, but the long term. When you’re talking about the back or side, when you’re swinging a bat, you’re talking about muscles. You don’t want a week or two-week thing to turn into a four-week thing. A lot would have to happen.”
McKinstry had an impressive 2019 Minor League season that fed into a strong showing in Spring Training and Summer Camp last year. He carried that momentum into spring this year and then the regular season.
McKinstry earned a spot on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster in the super utility-type role Kiké Hernandez filled for multiple years. McKinstry has started games at second base, left field and right field, and also played some third base.
Peters is on an active Major League roster for the first time in his young career. He also adds to the list of 2016 Dodgers draftees to have reached the Majors, with the group including McKinstry and Luke Raley, among others.
Roberts predicted during Spring Training that the power-hitting outfielder would likely make his MLB debut this season. Peters has focused on reducing his strikeouts and consistently making contact in effort to begin establishing himself with the Dodgers.
Dodgers injuries mounting
McKinstry joined Cody Bellinger, Joe Kelly and Gavin Lux on the IL, with the multiple injuries continuing to test the Dodgers’ roster depth.
“That’s why you prepare for things like this with depth. It gives other guys a runway. Those guys will be fine and we’ll come out of it OK,” Roberts said.
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