Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez was recently placed on the disabled list for the second time in his career, with both stints coming this season, due to a nagging back injury.
He dealt with elbow/forearm discomfort during Spring Training in addition to back and neck trouble. Thus, Gonzalez has never been fully healthy this year. To treat his back pain this time around, Gonzalez received an epidural injection.
“He said he’s moving around,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday. “A little stiff but feels better, got some relief. When he’s coming back, my hope, our hope, is some time before the All-Star break.”
Gonzalez received two opinions on his herniated disc and was then said to be seeking a long-term solution before being administered an epidural.
Gonzalez also received an epidural shot to his back in May 2016, and it coincided with better production at the plate. This season Gonzalez is producing at a career-low pace, as in 49 games he is batting .255/.304/.339 with just one home run and 23 RBIs.
A season-ending injury to Andrew Toles accelerated Gonzalez’s return in May. The Dodgers are unlikely to repeat that, though injuries could certainly dictate otherwise. Even a return within the next three weeks may be optimistic for the veteran first baseman.
Clayton Kershaw missed multiple months last season due to a herniated disc, and Andre Ethier has yet to play this season because of a similar injury that surfaced during Spring Training.
Without Gonzalez, the Dodgers have been uplifted by Cody Bellinger, who on Monday became the fastest player in MLB history to 21 career home runs (51 games).
