The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the 2018 regular season without a vital piece of their lineup in Justin Turner, who suffered a fractured wrist near the end of Spring Training and has been on the disabled list ever since.
While Turner’s recovery process has been slow, he has steadily increased his participation in baseball-related activities over recent weeks. He took a step toward returning to the field when he began hitting off a tee at the end of April, and more recently participated in batting practice.
Despite the progress, Turner has yet to appear in any sort of game. However, that will change Wednesday, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is confident a rehab assignment will follow, via David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports:
Justin Turner will participate in a simulated game Wednesday and Dave Roberts is optimistic Turner will be able to go on rehab assignment next weekend. Goal is to have Justin Turner to rejoin team in Miami or Wash DC. Many hurdles for him to cross between now and then.
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) May 6, 2018
Assuming all goes well, Turner can potentially rejoin the Dodgers for their six-game East Coast road trip next week. Roberts recently estimated that the 33-year-old would be back in two weeks, which puts him in line for a possible return by the middle of the month.
Turner’s presence figures to bolster a Dodgers lineup that recently lost Corey Seager for the remainder of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Last season, Turner hit a superb .322/.415/.530 with 32 doubles, 21 home runs and 71 RBI over 543 trips to the plate while providing Gold Glove caliber defense at third base.
