Lingering lower back soreness has prevented the Los Angeles Dodgers from activating Ross Stripling when they previously expected to do so, and now the right-hander could be a week from returning.
Stripling threw a multiple-inning bullpen session on Sunday, with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts estimating it was 20 pitches in a first inning of work, then some rest, and 20-25 more pitches. The purpose is to build Stripling up to be a multi-inning reliever or possibly start.
The bullpen session was the first step for Stripling. “Wednesday, he’ll do a simulated game [at Dodger Stadium] against our own hitters,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers hope to have him back for this weekend’s series at Coors Field. Stripling has been out since Aug. 15 because of what the team officially called lower back inflammation.
Stripling visited with back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins, and said an MRI revealed two compressed discs. He nonetheless was optimistic a return after the minimum 10 days was feasible.
While that didn’t manifest, Stripling was scheduled to be activated for the recent two-game series with the Texas Rangers. However, a bullpen session was followed by soreness in his back.
The injury thwarted the Dodgers’ plans of attempting to stabilize their bullpen by moving Stripling and Kenta Maeda out of the rotation. Though, Roberts did say the team hoped to again use Stripling as a starter before long.
Considering Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Alex Wood, Rich and Hyun-Jin Ryu have not only settled in but pitched well, Stripling might first be used as a reliever.
