Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner was dealt another tough break when he suffered an adductor injury during a pinch-hit plate appearance in Thursday’s series finale against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.
After grounding out to shortstop, Turner tweaked his adductor muscle while running out of the batter’s box to first base. As a result, the injury prevented him from taking the field in the bottom half of the ninth inning.
Turner would go on to miss the opener of the Freeway Series at Dodger Stadium against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and appears unlikely to receive a start in either of the two games before the All-Star break.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Turner was available to pinch-hit Friday but the team will otherwise proceed with caution, via SportsNet LA:
“He’ll get treatment. Obviously, not out here for batting practice, but I see him available to hit. And it’s really something that we just want to get ahead of with the break coming up. It’s not really something that we’re really going to make too big a deal of. … For us, understanding we have four days with the break, so we want to make sure he’s ready to go in the second half. It’s a day-to-day.”
With only two games remaining until the All-Star Break, it makes sense that the Dodgers are being cautious with Turner in regards to his latest injury.
Turner previously missed the first seven weeks of the season with a fractured wrist, so the club undoubtedly wants to make sure he is completely healthy again before penciling him in for starting duties at third base.
Moreover, the Dodgers’ excellent depth can withstand Turner being limited for the remainder of the weekend. Max Muncy shifted back to third base on Friday in Turner’s absence while Cody Bellinger returned to his accustomed first base position as a domino effect.
If Turner doesn’t start this weekend, he will at least receive a week’s worth of rest as the Dodgers don’t begin the unofficial second half of the season until Friday.
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