The Los Angeles Dodgers made official their roster for 2017 Opening Day, which didn’t include any surprises. Not with the club to begin the season is Pedro Baez.
The right-hander was one of five players placed on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to March 30. The earliest Baez can be reinstated is Monday, April 10. His official diagnosis is a right wrist contusion.
Baez was struck by a comebacker on the base of his right thumb during a live batting practice session in late February. He was temporarily shut down while he received treatment. Pain lingered, Baez was shut down a second time and sent for additional testing.
The 29-year-old did not appear in a Cactus League game. Baez has resumed throwing, and pitched in a Triple-A game on Saturday. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes Baez may be in position to return once eligible to come off the DL.
In similar fashion to others who are dealing with some form of injury, Los Angeles has been mindful of not rushing Baez back.
He ranked second on the team with 73 appearances last season. In a career-high 74 innings of work he struck out 83 and yielded a 3.04 ERA. The power right-hander figures to be one of the Dodgers’ key late-inning relievers this season.
Andre Ethier, Scott Kazmir, Josh Ravin and Brock Stewart were also placed on the 10-day disabled list. Yimi Garcia, who underwent Tommy John surgery last December, was previously put on the 60-day DL.
