As expected, the Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated second baseman Howie Kendrick from the 15-day disabled list. Kendrick starts at second base and bats fifth in Tuesday’s lineup. He began the 2016 season on the DL due to a calf strain suffered in late March.
The 32 year old was initially scratched from the lineup in Cactus League play with calf tightness. He was then more accurately diagnosed with a strained left calf soon after. Kendrick was one of 10 Dodgers who were inactive to open the season.
When the team broke camp to play a three-game Freeway Exhibition series, Kendrick remained at Camelback Ranch to continue recovering. After appearing in simulated games at the Dodgers’ Spring Training facility, he joined High-A Rancho Cucamonga on a four-game rehab assignment.
Kendrick went 5-for-15 with three doubles, four RBIs and added a stolen base over that span. He played both second and third base. With Kendrick on the shelf, Chase Utley assumed the second base duties, and performed quite well.
In seven games (six starts), Utley batted .310/.394/.448 with two doubles, one triple, five runs scored and two RBIs. He’s expected to now assume a role off the bench as a pinch-hitter and spot starter.
Kendrick is coming off a season in which he hit .295/.336/.409 with nine home runs, 54 RBIs, 64 runs scored, and a .325 wOBA and 109 wRC+ in 117 games. He missed 34 games over August and September due to a strained left hamstring but returned in time for the playoffs, where he went 6-for-22 with a home runs and four RBIs.
Kendrick takes the roster spot Micah Johnson filled for two games. Johnson, who was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday when Carl Crawford landed on the DL, was optioned back to OKC on Monday.
