The Los Angeles Dodgers currently have 14 players on the injured list, but a few could be back as soon as this weekend for the team’s four-game series against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium.
Cody Bellinger just completed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City and now is taking swings in Arizona ahead of potentially returning to the Dodgers lineup this weekend. “The hope is Saturday,” manager Dave Roberts said.
“Right now he’s traveling to Arizona and the plan for him is to take a couple days of live at-bats against some pitchers there; one being Brusdar potentially on Friday. But that’s all contingent on how Cody is feeling.”
As Roberts alluded to, Bellinger could potentially take live batting practice against Brusdar Graterol on Friday. The right-hander tossed a bullpen session before Tuesday’s game at Minute Maid Park, which marked his second time throwing off a mound since landing on the IL.
“He left [Tuesday] night. I think he made his way to Arizona to then ultimately make his way out on rehab assignment,” Roberts said. “I think our expectation is to have Cody and Brusdar meet up on Friday, so we’ll see.”
Roberts anticipates Bellinger to primarily play center field when he’s back, but wouldn’t rule out the possibility of him getting some reps at first base either. “We’ll see. I’ll get with Cody and the training staff,” Roberts said of Bellinger exclusively playing center field.
“I’d like to say it would be center field exclusively, but if it makes sense to have him over there at first base to essentially manage the workload for that particular night and get his bat in the lineup, that certainly will be entertained.
“As far as the days played, I’ll just see where he’s at when he gets here.”
McKinstry could also return for Giants series
In addition to Bellinger potentially being activated off the IL this weekend, the Dodgers may get Zach McKinstry back as well. “Saturday or Sunday for Zach,” Roberts said of McKinstry’s imminent return.
The 26-year-old has been sidelined since the end of April with a right oblique strain, but potentially returning after Bellinger isn’t a sign of concern on the Dodgers’ part.
“It’s just kind of the at-bats and how we feel,” Roberts said. “I just don’t want to put ourselves in a corner. For Cody, the target is Saturday, and for Zach it’s Saturday or Sunday.”
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