For as much as the Los Angeles Dodgers have leaned on Clayton Kershaw in recent seasons, they’ve also depended on the ever-consistent Adrian Gonzalez. The Dodgers this season are 8-1 in games Kershaw starts and 13-20 when he does not.
As of Monday, Gonzalez was the lone Dodger to appear in all 39 games this season, making 38 starts. He started 19 consecutive games this season before appearing as a pinch-hitter against the Miami Marlins on April 25.
Gonzalez was removed from the Freeway Series opener on Monday after five innings due to lower back tightness and listed as day-to-day.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism earlier this week that his five-time All-Star first baseman would avoid the disabled list, and perhaps would return as soon as Thursday.
Gonzalez was said to be available as a pinch-hitter over the past three games, but never appeared. According to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times, Roberts expects Gonzalez to return to the lineup on Saturday in the second of a three-game series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park:
Adrian Gonzalez is expected to return to #Dodgers starting lineup Saturday, Dave Roberts said
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) May 20, 2016
Assuming Gonzalez does not start Friday night, it would mean four consecutive games in which he was out of the lineup. Just how rare is that? Gonzalez last missed three straight games in August 2005 when he was with the Texas Rangers.
Remarkably, the last time Gonzalez did not appear in four consecutive games was twice in September 2004 after joining the Rangers from the Minor Leagues. Gonzalez did not start games for the Padres from May 3-6, 2006, but appeared off the bench in three of the four contests.
He didn’t start for the Dodgers from May 3-5, 2013, but entered one game as a reserve. Gonzalez entered as part of a double switch Friday night, and lined out in his lone at-bat.
