The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Justin Turner from the 10-day injured list and optioned Josh Sborz back to their alternate training site at USC. Turner had been sidelined by a left hamstring strain since Sept. 1 (retroactive to Aug. 29).
He suffered the injury on a stolen base attempt in the series opener against the Texas Rangers. The Dodgers initially hoped Turner was only dealing with a cramp but then determined he’d sustained what manager Dave Roberts described as a ‘low-grade’ hamstring strain.
Turner remained active for the ensuing two games against the Rangers but was held out of both contests. He was re-evaluated on the Dodgers’ off day and went through a pregame workout at the beginning of the month prior to the roster decision being made.
Turner made steady progress in his recovery, though the Dodgers continued to push back his return. It initially was thought to be for the two games with the Houston Astros, only for Roberts to say an activation during the San Diego Padres series was the new target.
Turner took batting practice prior to the series opener at Petco Park as a final hurdle to coming off the IL. “He looked good,” Roberts said after his club’s loss. Turner is expected to be in the lineup Tuesday as the designated hitter.
Sborz has appeared in three games for the Dodgers this season, allowing just one run and striking out two over three innings pitched. The right-hander made his MLB debut last year, going 0-1 with an 8.00 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in seven games.
New arm slot
Although his opportunities have been limited this season, Sborz is encouraged by the results of adjusting his arm slot. “I lowered my arm slot because I sort of lacked command,” he recently explained.
“When I missed, it was a big miss. It was a 45-foot spiked fastball. Just lowering the arm slot kind of made my command go up. Also, another benefit was my elbow and shoulder pain has been real limited this year, which has been great. Being healthy so that every day I can get better and keep attacking.”
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