The Los Angeles Dodgers witnessed a bevy of encouraging injury updates on the likes of Walker Buehler, Chris Taylor and Justin Turner on Monday, with each taking a step forward in their respective recoveries.
Of the three, Turner is first who will be back to playing. He’s missed the past five games due to what the Dodgers have deemed abdominal tightness. “I honestly don’t even know what it is,” he told DodgerBlue.com.
“I just have a little inflammation. I don’t if it’s cartilage or muscular, or what it is, but it already feels better. I’m going to go do some stuff, move around, see how that goes and then hopefully be back to doing some baseball stuff [Sunday] and let that determine what that means.”
Turner explained the discomfort is “just below my sternum, right on the inside of my ribcage.”
He fielded ground balls and did some hitting prior to the Dodgers hosting the Washington Nationals. Manager Dave Roberts said Turner would return to the Dodgers lineup Wednesday.
Chris Taylor begins running
Days removed from taking batting practice, Taylor tested the fracture in his left foot by doing some light running for the first time since his injury.
“We’re going to go to Colorado, and he’ll be here doing simulated games and then he’ll go out on rehab shortly thereafter,” Roberts said.
Taylor didn’t experience any discomfort when testing his foot and is not expected to undergo a second CT scan prior to getting activated off the 10-day injured list. Taylor indicated his rehab assignment will begin with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
First for Walker Buehler
Monday represented the first time Buehler threw a baseball since suffering a right flexor tendon strain and subsequently undergoing elbow surgery to remove bone spurs.
“I think he just made 20 throws, but to have a baseball in his hand was good for everybody,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers remain confident Buehler will have ample time to stretch out as a starting pitcher despite not returning until September.
Dodgers slow-playing Brusdar Graterol
Although there was initial optimism Brusdar Graterol would not miss an extended period, which was supported by an MRI not revealing any structural damage in his right shoulder, a date of return remains unknown.
“Brusdar is doing well. He’s going to play catch to about 120 feet, so I think he’ll just continue to progress. It will be more telling once we get him back on the mound,” Roberts said. “I know he’s chomping at the bit to get back, but the value of him, we want to make sure we don’t have any setbacks.
“I think his answer would be a lot different than our training staff’s answer.”
Andrew Heaney returning
The plan remains for Andrew Heaney to get activated off the 15-day IL for a start Wednesday. Slotting Heaney into the rotation will provide other starters with an extra day of rest as the Dodgers are in the midst of playing 18 consecutive games without an off day.
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