For several weeks the Los Angeles Dodgers were looking forward to September as a time when the club would welcome back several players. While that has played out in some regard, the month has additionally brought about a rash of injuries.
Joe Kelly has been limited by an unspecified injury, Rich Hill suffered a second MCL that he is managing to cope with and Alex Verdugo is sidelined at least through the National League Division Series.
Meanwhile, Max Muncy recently missed games with quad tightness, Corey Seager sat out due to left hamstring tightness, and Justin Turner is dealing with back trouble.
Now there may be some reason for concern with A.J. Pollock. He was hit by a pitch in the left knee during the fifth inning of Friday’s game against the San Francisco Giants and limped off the field.
According to Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA, the initial diagnosis for Pollock is a contusion:
Per the #Dodgers, AJ Pollock left the game with a left knee contusion.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) September 28, 2019
He later underwent X-rays, which came back negative, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Pollock x-rays negative.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) September 28, 2019
Pollock went 0-for-2 prior to being replaced by Chris Taylor. Pollock previously missed time this season after undergoing surgery on his right elbow and he was limited for a stretch because of groin tightness.
He’d begun to swing the bat well of late and provided balance to a Dodgers lineup that is largely dependent on their left-handed batters. Furthermore, the team already was dealing with some lack of depth in the outfield because of Verdugo’s injury.
Pollock may undergo additional testing to determine the full extent of any potential injury. Chris Taylor and Muncy were each removed with respective forearm and wrist contusions prior to an MRI revealing fractures for both.
Pollock’s availability moving forward will be of note for the Dodgers as they are set to begin the NLDS on Thursday.
