When the Los Angeles Dodgers reported to Camelback Ranch for Spring Training, the only notable absence from camp was Andrew Toles. There were no specifics given for his unavailability, but the club later deemed that it was due to a personal matter.
Toles wound up missing all of Spring Training and was eventually placed on the restricted list prior to the start of the regular season. His situation did not change as the month of April progressed.
However, the 26-year-old recently reported to extended Spring Training and is in the process of resuming baseball-related activities.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was pleased to hear that Toles has gotten back in the swing of things but couldn’t forecast when the outfielder might see game action, via Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:
“He’s there trying to get back into shape,” Roberts said. “How long that takes remains to be seen, but I’m happy to have him back and working.”
Toles’ return couldn’t come at a better time for the Dodgers, as they will be without the services of outfielder A.J. Pollock for the foreseeable future. The 31-year-old is scheduled to undergo right elbow surgery on Thursday to remove a metal screw from his growth plate.
While there is no timeline on when Toles will be ready to rejoin the Major League club, his presence further bolsters the Dodgers’ outfield depth at an opportune time.
After unexpectedly making his MLB debut in 2016 and becoming a starter in the postseason, Toles’ career has been thrown off course. A torn ACL ended Toles’ 2017 campaign after he appeared in just 31 games, and he spent most of last season with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Toles joined the Dodgers last July, then again in September once active rosters expanded, though only appearing in 18 games during those stints.
