The Los Angeles Dodgers reported to Camelback Ranch relatively healthy, but a few notable contributors have been slowed down by injuries as of late.
Among them include Dustin May, who has been shut down due to a lingering side injury. And despite recently making some progress, Jimmy Nelson (lower back and groin) has also been sidelined after suffering a setback in his latest bullpen session.
Joc Pederson additionally has been limited this spring due to a minor side issue. The injury, though not considered serious, has prevented him from appearing in a Cactus League game to this point.
According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Pederson made some progress on Friday by playing catch and taking swings for the first time since sustaining his right hip injury:
Joc Pederson played catch today, resuming baseball activities after missing time with a sore right side/hip.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 28, 2020
Joc Pederson also took swings in the cage today for the first time since injuring his right hip/side.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 28, 2020
Up to Friday, Pederson had been limited to recently bunting and standing in on Clayton Kershaw’s bullpen session. “I don’t think we’re really worried about getting him ready for the start of the season,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said this week.
“We’re more mindful of is not having a setback. The calendar is our friend, so we’re not worried about getting him at-bats and ready for Opening Day.”
When asked if Pederson’s injury was to his oblique, Roberts answered, “I haven’t heard that word. That’s the word you don’t want to hear, and I haven’t heard it. That’s a dirty word.
“I heard ‘side’ or ‘abdomen,’ maybe.”
Pederson, who will remain with the Dodgers after a proposed trade to the L.A. Angels fell through, is expected to receive the majority of his at-bats this season against right-handed pitching.
He hit a stellar .252/.349/.571 against the opposite split last year and figures to be part of a platoon in left field with AJ Pollock.
In 149 games, Pederson batted an overall .249/.339/.538 with 16 doubles, three triples, a career-high 36 home runs and 74 RBI over 514 plate appearances.
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