Edwin Ríos went into the 2022 regular season determined to bounce back and atone for effectively missing all of last year due to a torn labrum in his right shoulder that required surgery.
Ríos was making good on his proclamation and began to receive more playing time because of consistent production and injuries. However, late last week Ríos found himself on the 10-day injured list due to what the team officially deemed a right hamstring strain.
“Part of the tendon or the muscle came off the bone, so it’s not the belly of the hamstring,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed. “So it is not going to require surgery, but it’s going to be a handful of weeks until we even consider having him back.”
Roberts went on to add Ríos’ strained hamstring was a “Grade 3 or Grade 4 tear.”
That prognosis, along with Roberts’ estimation, suggests the 28-year-old may not return until some time in July or potentially after the All-Star break.
While primarily starting as the designated hitter in the Dodgers lineup, Ríos batted .244/.293/.500 with seven home runs, a .341 wOBA and 121 wRC+ over 27 games before landing on the IL.
One of the more popular players in the clubhouse, Ríos’ ability to contribute despite largely inconsistent opportunities impressed Freddie Freeman.
“Got to give props to Edwin,” Freeman recently said. “It is very, very hard to not play every day and be able to put up quality ABs. He’s been doing it every single time he’s in the lineup.”
Ríos injury created opportunity for Alvarez
The Dodgers called up Eddy Alvarez as the corresponding roster move to placing Ríos on the IL. The Olympian made his Dodgers debut in a pinch-hit appearance before starting in the series finale against the New York Mets.
Alvarez notably delivered a game-tying RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning.
“I’m going to cherish this forever,” he said after the game. “Just to crack this roster and to be a little piece of the algorithm is incredible. So I’m going to count my blessings and I’m going to do what I can.”
Are you following Dodger Blue on Instagram? It’s the best way to see exclusive coverage from games and events, get your questions answered, and more!
