The Los Angeles Dodgers opened the 2016 season by placing eight players on the disabled list, bringing their overall number of players on the DL to 10.
Nonetheless, the banged-up Dodgers have started the year 2-0 and outscored the San Diego Padres, 18-0, in the two games. Additionally, the Dodgers’ 15-0 win was the largest shutout victory on Opening Day in Major League Baseball history.
While the Dodgers have received strong pitching performances and contributions from throughout the lineup, they undoubtedly would stand to gain from the return of expected starters.
Among those key contributors are catcher Yasmani Grandal and infielder Howie Kendrick, who remained in Arizona to continue rehabbing from their respective injuries. Grandal was bothered by forearm soreness that limited him to eight games this spring.
Kendrick suffered a calf strain on March 24, and didn’t appear in another game after that. According to Bill Pulunkett of the OC Register, both participated in a simulated game and may return next week:
Meanwhile, Kendrick and catcher Yasmani Grandal (forearm) played in a simulated game Tuesday in Arizona and remain on track to come off the DL next week, according to Roberts.
Meanwhile, Hyun-Jin Ryu, who also remained in Arizona, is scheduled to throw his first simulated game as he recovers from last May’s shoulder surgery:
Left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu is scheduled to throw a simulated game Thursday at the Dodgers’ training complex in Arizona. Ryu will throw 20 pitches in each of two simulated innings.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has maintained over the past few days that Grandal and Kendrick will be reinstated from the DL in time for the club’s home opener on April 12 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
However, Grandal has suffered a setback each time he’s attempted to increase his level of activity. While Kendrick’s recovery, generally speaking, has trailed that of Grandal’s. Ryu’s throwing program has him on track to potentially join the Dodgers rotation in June.
