The Los Angeles Dodgers began the 2016 season with an astounding 10 players on the disabled list, with the pitching staff most affected. Not too far behind it is the Dodgers’ outfield as expected starter Andre Ethier sustained a fractured right tibia, and Alex Guerrero is also on the DL.
Los Angeles figured to be in position to withstand the temporary loss of Ethier given their depth throughout the outfield. However, one week into the season they lost Carl Crawford and Scott Van Slyke to respective back issues.
Both players believed their injury wasn’t serious and thought they would avoid a stint on the disabled list. On March 9, the Dodgers placed Crawford on the DL; Van Slyke followed on April 12 when Yasmani Grandal was activated.
Crawford, who had been dealing with lingering back pain since Spring Training, was scheduled to undergo an MRI once the club returned from their seven-game road trip. It was decided the exam was no longer needed as Crawford showed improvement.
According to AM 570 LA Sports Radio DodgerTalk host David Vassegh, Crawford is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment and will then join the Dodgers:
Carl Crawford will begin rehab assignment Wednesday and is expected rejoin when Dodgers are in Denver.
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) April 13, 2016
The earliest date Crawford can be reinstated from the DL is April 24 — the day of the Dodgers’ three-game series finale against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. In three games this season, the 34 year old is batting .300/.300/.400 (3-for-10) with one double, two RBIs and three strikeouts.
A torn oblique forced Crawford to the 60-day DL last season and limited him to just 69 games played. He’s under contract through the 2017 season.
