Adrian Gonzalez hasn’t been able to get healthy since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers for Spring Training this year. He was bothered by elbow soreness that required a period of rest, and flared up once Gonzalez returned from the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
Then as the regular season wore on, Gonzalez’s lack of consistent production at the plate suggested there was a lingering health issue. He was eventually put on the disabled list in May due to a herniated disc. It marked a career-first for the veteran first baseman.
Gonzalez’s return was accelerated because of Andrew Toles’ season-ending knee injury and he was put back on the DL last month.
The recovery process has been arduous, with Gonzalez only recently picking up a bat since June, per David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio:
Adrian Gonzalez took 40 swings yesterday for the first time since going on DL. 20 off tee/20 "dry swings #Dodgers #Comeback
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) July 8, 2017
Gonzalez received an epidural injection last month, which led to hope he’d return prior to the All-Star break. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts later ruled out that possibility and pushed a rough timetable into August.
That came on the heels of Gonzalez acknowledging he’s considered retirement should his condition not improve. The 35-year-old is batting just .255/.304/.339 with 11 doubles, one home run and 23 RBIs in 49 games.
Rookie Cody Bellinger has more than filled in admirably in Gonzalez’s absence. That’s allowing for the Dodgers to take a cautious approach with his recovery. While Bellinger represents the future of the organization moving forward, Gonzalez said he is not worried about losing his starting position and denied there being any animosity between him and Bellinger.
