When Justin Turner suffered a left wrist fracture, he downplayed concern over how the Los Angeles Dodgers would forge ahead without him. Turner championed the Dodgers’ depth, which has proven key over recent seasons.
But thus far they’ve been unable to make up for the loss of their All-Star third baseman. Several of the team’s regulars aren’t meeting expectations, and the pitching staff has had recent bouts with inconsistency.
It’s been nearly four weeks since Turner suffered in the injury on a hit by pitch in a Cactus League game. The Dodgers have not publicly revealed a timetable for his return so as to avoid placing any pressure on Turner.
The 33-year-old has taken steps toward coming off the disabled list as Turner is now taking dry swings and playing catch, per Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
Third baseman Justin Turner has begun swinging a bat without making contact, which is a step in his progression as he returns from a fractured left wrist. Turner has also been able to catch the baseball.
Turner said doctors informed him recovery could take anywhere from one month to 10 weeks. Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi recently expressed hope Turner’s absence would last weeks and not months.
Without Turner, the Dodgers have started Kyle Farmer and Logan Forsythe at third base. Forsythe, as expected, has received the bulk of the playing time at the hot corner (11 games; 10 starts). But his availability moving forward is in question as the Dodgers await MRI results on Forsythe’s throwing shoulder.
In terms filling the void in the lineup, Yasmani Grandal was the third different player in the last three games to bat third as the club tries to find stability and production in that spot of the order.
