Having already endured several injuries throughout the year and losing Clayton Kershaw and Max Muncy days before the postseason began, the Los Angeles Dodgers then saw Justin Turner ruled for the remainder of October when he suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.
Turner sustained the injury in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series and was replaced on the Dodgers’ active roster by Andy Burns. One month removed from the injury, Turner was encouraged by his recovery process.
“Everything is good. I’ve been up here (Dodger Stadium) three days a week, going through therapy and rehab, working out,” he said from the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event.
“I guess the good thing is it started my offseason program a lot sooner than I probably would have, so I’m feeling good. Moving around good, body is feeling good. Already starting to feel strong again and ready to get things going for next year.
“I haven’t really gone out and ran yet because they’re kind of taking it slow since there’s no need to rush, but there’s no doubt in my mind I would already be running now if I had to.”
Turner battled a minor groin injury during the season but otherwise was healthy and tied a career high by appearing in 151 games.
“My goal was to be available for as many games as possible. I was able to accomplish that, minus a little groin thing that I had and missed a couple games on the road trip,” Turner said. “Obviously if roles were reversed, I would’ve rather had the hamstring injury in the season and been healthy in the playoffs. But definitely happy about my availability.”
Justin Turner Foundation Season of Giving
The Justin Turner Foundation partnered with AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio to benefit the Dream Center this by helping raise awareness and financial assistance for veterans, along with providing Thanksgiving meals, Christmas trees and gifts to families in need.
“It’s a month of giving, AM 570 is already doing amazing things, bringing in big donations. The L.A. Dream Center is a big benefactor of that, so things are rolling,” Turner said. It’s all for a great cause.”
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