The Los Angeles Dodgers to this point have managed to press forward despite the litany of injuries they’ve incurred since Spring Training. However, the club may now be facing it’s most difficult proposition of the year.
Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to fly to Los Angeles on Wednesday to be examined by Dr. Robert Watkins, the team’s back specialist. Kershaw received treatment on Monday for back discomfort, an ailment he’s sporadicly battled in recent weeks, and one that had yet to improve.
Then in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers, Joc Pederson made a catch while crashing into the wall in center field at Miller Park.
Pederson remained down on the ground before rising to his feet and walking off the field. He didn’t move his right shoulder and immediately made his way to the clubhouse.
According to Andy McCullough of the LA Times, X-rays came back negative and Pederson has a bruised AC joint in his right shoulder:
Joc Pederson has a bruised AC joint. X-rays negative. "I think we dodged a bullet," Dave Roberts said.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) June 29, 2016
The 24 year old entered the game batting .235/.326/.478 with 16 doubles, 13 home runs and 32 RBIs. Pederson went 1-for-3 with a walk and RBI single in the Dodgers’ 6-5 victory.
Should Pederson miss a small stretch of games, the Dodgers figure to be well equipped to manage the loss given their depth in the outfield. Trayce Thompson split time with Pederson in center field for much of the season, and is free to play there with Yasiel Puig’s recent return.
