After months of speculation and flying to Las Vegas for a meeting with superstar free agent Bryce Harper, the Los Angeles Dodgers found their outfielder by signing A.J. Pollock to a three-year contract in January.
The need was created late last year when the Dodgers packaged Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds. In addition to adding a right-handed bat to their lineup, the Dodgers made it clear Pollock was viewed as the team’s everyday starter in center field.
After getting off to an encouraging start this season, the 31-year-old has been mired in a slump for the better part of the past four weeks. Monday’s series opener against the San Francisco Giants marked a third time in the last six games that Alex Verdugo started in center.
Pollock not only didn’t start in the game, he was later said to be unavailable. According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Pollock will likely be placed on the 10-day injured list because of an infection in his elbow:
Dave Roberts said AJ Pollock has an infection in right elbow. Likely going on injured list.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) April 30, 2019
With Max Muncy entrenched at first base and Cody Bellinger in right field, Roberts has been hard-pressed to find opportunities for Verdugo. The rookie made the Opening Day roster as a member of the bench but has played his way into more starts.
Meanwhile, like with Chris Taylor, the Dodgers continue to wait for Pollock’s bat to come around. Roberts historically has provided players with plenty of opportunities to emerge from a rut, particularly if he is encouraged by the quality of at-bat.
Pollock has acknowledged being mired in a rut but he’s remaining mindful of the long season ahead and keeping with his approach. Though the elbow issue may further test his patience while also opening even more of a window for Verdugo.
