Justin Turner has been something of a magnet since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, vaulting up the franchise’s all-time list for hit by pitch. Including this year, Turner has reached double-digits the past five seasons, including being hit a career-high 19 times during his 2017 All-Star campaign.
Late last spring, he suffered a left wrist fracture after being hit by a pitch, and went on to miss the first six weeks of the season. Turner has since worn a protective padding on his wrist that already has prevented another fracture.
Turner’s last time being hit came in Sunday’s win over the Colorado Rockies when he appeared as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning. He took a pitch on his left elbow, marking a third time in the past six games he was plunked.
Despite not starting in the series finale at Coors Field, Turner again was out of the lineup Tuesday as the Dodgers begin their final homestand before the All-Star break.
According to Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA, it’s a byproduct of Turner dealing with lingering soreness, and he additionally underwent X-rays on his elbow and wrist:
Turner has x-ray on elbow & wrist areas. Negative. https://t.co/qyVAzVMFvd
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) July 2, 2019
Turner was hit in the wrist two months ago but was not forced to exit the game. He did come out of a May game against the Cincinnati Reds shortly after fouling a ball off his left shin. Turner was able to continue playing until a baseball-sized welt began to form and limit his mobility.
That came two days after Turner was hit by a pitch in four consecutive games, which set an L.A. franchise record and tied with Hughie Jennings for the organization’s all-time mark. Turner has been hit 11 times in 316 plate appearances over 77 games this season.
Turner is third all-time in Dodgers history in being hit by a pitch 69 times. He’s three from tying franchise icon Jackie Robinson, and five from overtaking Zack Wheat.