Beginning in Spring Training and continuing three months into the 2016 regular season, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to get bit by the injury bug, yet still have managed to remain in playoff contention.
However, the latest players to suffer an injury scare may be the most concerning for Los Angeles, who currently sits six games back of the first-place San Francisco Giants in the National League West.
Following Sunday’s start in which he suffered only his second loss of the season, lefty-ace Clayton Kershaw was treated for back stiffness on Monday, and later sent back to Los Angeles to be examined.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts then revealed prior to Thursday’s series finale that Kershaw received an epidural shot in his back and would be placed on the 15-day disabled list. Also of concern for the Dodgers is Joc Pederson’s health.
He was removed in eighth inning of Tuesday’s game after making a remarkable catch while crashing into the wall in center field.
Pederson was diagnosed with AC joint, an injury not believed to be serious, but he wasn’t available for the final two games of the series. With that, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said a stint on the disabled list remains a possibility, according to Alanna Rizzo of Time Warner Cable SportsNet LA:
Pederson improving, but not where he needs to be, to play. They will determine in the next day or 2 if AC joint issue, will require DL.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) June 30, 2016
Should the Dodgers lose Pederson to the DL, Trayce Thompson figures to be the natural replacement. Kiké Hernandez, in theory another option to fill the void, was himself placed on the disabled list on Wednesday (retroactive to Tuesday), because of left rib cage inflammation.
While Thompson earned his way to consistent playing time, he’s cooled considerably at the plate over recent weeks. Thompson did hit a towering two-run home run on Thursday. Pederson is batting .235/.326/.478 with 16 doubles, 13 home runs and 32 RBIs in 75 games.
