Heading into the season, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he hoped to convince Adrian Gonzalez of accepting more days off for rest. In 2016, he appeared in 156 games, marking an 11th consecutive season he played in at least that many.
Gonzalez’s workload was scaled back by a considerable amount, though not by the means he nor the Dodgers hoped for. The veteran first baseman has been dogged by herniated discs in his lower back and only appeared in 68 games.
The injury forced Gonzalez to the disabled list in May for the first time in his career, and a required a another stint on the DL that began in June. His return was not rushed the second time around.
Without Gonzalez, the Dodgers turned to Cody Bellinger at first base. The rookie has not only played steady defense but been a major force in the heart of the lineup.
That’s changed Gonzalez’s role with the team since returning from the disabled list, and Roberts said he’s expected to primarily serve as a pinch-hitter over the next two weeks, according to Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
“If you look forward at what, potentially, he could do for us, to help us off the bench, to give him those opportunities, to see how he can prepare and navigate an at-bat, I think that will give him the best chance to have success,” Roberts said.
When the Dodgers reinstated Gonzalez from the 60-day DL the plan called for him to receive spot starts against right-handed pitchers, which would move Bellinger out to left field. Bellinger suffered an ankle sprain, and in turn Gonzalez was pressed into a starting role at first base.
He was removed from a ninth start in 10 games due to back tightness. The issue was considered minor, but Gonzalez has appeared in just nine (five starts) of 21 games since that point. He’s a career 10-for-46 as a pinch-hitter, with two doubles, one home run and nine RBI.
Included in that are four hits and two RBI in 10 pinch-hit appearances this season.
