Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had several regulars in Friday’s lineup against the Kansas City Royals, but a majority of them were expected to have an early day and return home for a day off before the exhibition Freeway Series begins.
Yasiel Puig, Kiké Hernandez and Corey Seager were among those to take advantage of their limited opportunities. Puig hit his second home run in as many games, and later added an RBI single as part of a seven-run third inning for the Dodgers.
However, the outlook was not quite as optimistic for Logan Forsythe. He fouled a pitch off his left leg and went down in pain. A trainer checked on Forsythe, who remained in the game and finished the plate appearance by working a walk.
But he was then promptly replaced by pinch-runner Kyle Farmer. Despite the ominous signs, Forsythe said he’s in good health, per Michael Duarte of NBC L.A.:
Logan Forsythe said he was fine after fouling a pitch off his left leg. #DodgersST
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) March 23, 2018
Forsythe avoiding injury is particularly instrumental, as he’s the contingency plan at third base while Justin Turner recovers from a fractured left wrist. The Dodgers will not publicly set a timetable for Turner’s return.
Moreover, Forsythe is looking to rebound from a bit of an underwhelming 2017 campaign that included a broken right toe. Although Forsythe refused to use the injury as an excuse, it did compromise his swing and mechanics at the plate.
He finished last season on a high note, which was a byproduct of fully recovering from the fracture and settling in with a more consistent swing.