UPDATE (Sept. 21, 3:30 p.m. PT): Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the plan is for AJ Pollock to be activated off the 10-day injured list on Wednesday for the series finale against the Colorado Rockies.
When AJ Pollock needed assistance down the dugout steps after suffering an injury at Oracle Park, the general assumption was he would not return to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup this season.
However, manager Dave Roberts said the veteran outfielder would potentially only miss two or three weeks with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain. Roberts more recently indicated Pollock was making good progress with his recovery, which included participating in simulated games at Dodger Stadium over the weekend.
Pollock now is heading to Camelback Ranch and is on track to potentially be activated off the 10-day injured list for the upcoming series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“There’s some games in Arizona, and if something happens later in the week, to potentially get him out on assignment is a possibility too,” Roberts added.
The 33-year-old previously missed three weeks this season because of a left hamstring strain he initially attempted to rest for a few days before resuming playing.
The latest hamstring injury is another interruption for Pollock in what’s been his best campaign since 2015. Touted by Roberts as a “linchpin” for the Dodgers this season, Pollock has hit .297/.352/.861 with 16 home runs and 58 RBI across 107 games.
Lux stepping in for Pollock
Already expected to fill a utility role for the Dodgers, Gavin Lux expanded on that to play left field for the first time in his young Major League career.
Lux not only has adapted to playing a new position relatively well, but he’s additionally swung a hot bat. Since getting recalled on Sept. 10, he’s 11-for-24 with one double, one triple, one home run and eight RBI.
“Luxy has been great. It’s not easy with a position change in the middle of the season, but he’s an athlete and does a good job with that,” Clayton Kershaw said.
“He’s swinging the bat great right now, so that’s been huge for us. Especially with AJ down and Belli having the rib thing, we’re going to need his bat. That’s been huge for us.”
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