The Los Angeles Dodgers have dealt with a rash of injuries this season, with the latest being to Cody Bellinger sustaining a non-displaced fracture in his left ribs. It required yet another stint on the 10-day injured list, which was offset in some regard by AJ Pollock returning.
Pollock, who suffered a Grade 2 right hamstring strain on Sept. 4, initially was slated to be activated for the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks. His timetable was then moved up one day, and changed yet again because of Bellinger’s injury.
Pollock pinch-hit in his first game back, then started three of the next four. He endured an injury scare during the eighth inning of Sunday’s win against the Diamondbacks when getting hit by a pitch in the right hand.
Pollock gestured to the dugout and was checked on by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and trainer Yosuke “Possum” Nakajima while walking down the first-base line. Pollock initially remained in the game before being replaced in the bottom half of the inning.
“He’s OK. It got him on that middle knuckle. I think it grazed him, I don’t think it got him too good,” Roberts said after the win. “So I expect him to be in there on Tuesday. We dodged a bullet right there.
“AJ just continues to take good at-bats, so we’ve got to keep him on the field.”
Pollock is enjoying his best season since an All-Star campaign with the Diamondbacks in 2015. Earlier this year Roberts touted him as a “linchpin” for the team and has regularly highlighted Pollock’s importance.
Pollock grateful for versatility
Despite missing multiple weeks because of the hamstring strain, Pollock was activated without going on a rehab assignment. He instead participated in simulated games at Dodger Stadium and Camelback Ranch, and was appreciative of the team allowing for a different recovery process than normal.
“That was hat’s off to the organization for letting me do that. Honestly, I wanted to stay in L.A. There were people to work on me. It was great for me to be able to stay back and work. They let me do that, which is a credit to them,” Pollock said.
“There’s a lot of organizations that would say you have to do ‘this,’ and they were openminded. I’m appreciative of that. Then they got creative with how I can get at-bats. There were a couple guys from Rancho that had to throw a bullpen, and both of them came in and were able to give me good looks. It was fun.
“They were excited to be there and they helped me out big time. It was a big team effort. I’m very appreciative for allowing me to do that, and I think that’s a big reason why I’m here playing this early.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
