Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez was removed after five innings in Monday’s Freeway Series opener against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Dodgers announced Gonzalez’s removal was due to lower back stiffness.
He went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts prior to being lifted. Gonzalez was replaced at first base by Howie Kendrick, who started the game at third base. Justin Turner came off the bench to fill the void left by Kendrick.
“His back stiffened up. After his at-bat where he punched looking, he said his back stiffened up,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after his club’s loss. ”
At that point I want to take it out of his hands and get him out of the game. It’s day-to-day. I don’t know when it occurred or if it was on a swing.”
Gonzalez left Dodger Stadium without speaking to reporters. The five-time All-Star is batting .282/.362/.408 with six doubles, four home runs and 20 RBIs over 39 games. He went hitless and had eight strikeouts to four walks over 24 plate appearances during the Dodgers’ recent nine-game homestand.
Gonzalez is the lone Dodger player to appear in all 39 games this season, 38 of which he’s started. In discussing the workload his first baseman has shouldered, Roberts recently said he’s largely deferred to Gonzalez on his playing time.
Roberts also mentioned he intended to get the veteran off his feet during the Dodgers’ upcoming two games at Angel Stadium. Should Gonzalez land on the disabled list or simply miss a handful of games, Yasmani Grandal, Kendrick, Turner and Chase Utley are options to fill in at first base.
