Beginning with Adrian Gonzalez this weekend, the Los Angeles Dodgers expect to add several players to their active roster in the next few weeks. The bulk of activity likely won’t take place until rosters expand on Friday, Sept. 1.
There will be a mixture of injured players — Grant Dayton and Andre Ethier among them — returning from the disabled list, plus a select group earning a promotion from the Minors. In the case of Dayton, he’s been on the DL since July 28 with neck stiffness.
It’s the second time this season that injury has sidelined him. Dayton recently threw a second bullpen session that was observed by Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, manager Dave Roberts and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, among others.
“Certain things we have as far as reading some characteristics of his pitches, he’s back to where he needs to be,” Roberts said. He added a rehab assignment was on the horizon.
According to J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group, the plan calls for Dayton to spend one week with Double-A Tulsa and another with Triple-A Oklahoma City:
Grant Dayton told me he's headed straight for AA Tulsa to begin his rehab. One week there, one week at AAA Oklahoma City. Back September 1.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) August 17, 2017
Dayton is joining the Drillers while the Dodgers embark on a seven-game road trip. He’s only appeared in 29 games this season, going 1-1 with a 4.94 ERA, 5.72 FIP and 1.31 WHIP.
In addition to the multiple DL stints because of neck stiffness, Dayton was sidelined for a portion of April due to a left intercostal strain. His injuries and inconsistent performance presumably played a role in the Dodgers acquiring Tony Cingrani and Tony Watson at the non-waiver trade deadline.
While it will create for a roster crunch come the postseason, particularly amongst left-handed relievers, Dayton believes the depth is of particular benefit as it’s allowed for him to steadily recover and get healthy during the season.
