The Los Angeles Dodgers transferred Adrian Gonzalez to the 60-day disabled list to make room on their 40-man roster for Luis Ysla, who was acquired in a trade with the Boston Red Sox.
Gonzalez has been on the disabled list since June 12 due to a disc herniation in his lower back. The DL stint is his second of the year, with the first of Gonzalez’s career and season coming in May.
Saturday’s roster move hardly impacts Gonzalez’s standing other than make Saturday, Aug. 12, the earliest date he can be activated. Though, now the Dodgers will be required to make a 40-man move once Gonzalez is set to return.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the veteran first baseman is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment next week with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Roberts added Gonzalez will also join High-A Rancho Cucamonga and added he was not yet certain on the duration of the rehab assignment.
Gonzalez has been dogged by injuries since reporting to camp for Spring Training. He was temporarily shut down with elbow inflammation, which cropped up after Gonzalez returned from the World Baseball Classic.
The 35-year-old missed a second stretch during the spring but attempted to play through elbow and back discomfort during the regular season. Cody Bellinger’s arrival and subsequent success influenced Gonzalez into accepting a move to the disabled list.
On the year he’s batting .255/.304/.339 with 11 doubles, one home run and 23 RBI in 49 games. Gonzalez’s .643 on-base plus slugging percentage would be the lowest of his career.
