The Los Angeles Dodgers reported to Spring Training with a deep crop of outfielders but once again, injuries have eliminated some of the depth that figured to present a small challenge in managing.
Andre Ethier was the first to go down as he suffered a fractured tibia as a result of fouling a ball off his leg in a Cactus League game. Then early in the regular season, both Carl Crawford and Scott Van Slyke went down with back injuries.
While Crawford returned after a stint on the 15-day disabled list, Van Slyke’s recovery has progressed at a much slower rate. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Sunday the versatile outfielder still isn’t partaking in baseball activities.
“To even see him playing catch or hitting off a tee, I think we’re still a week away from that,” Roberts added. Van Slyke’s back injury was revealed to be more serious than the lower back irritation he landed on the DL with.
Although the recovery has been slower-than-expected, progress is being made. “We haven’t gotten the stamp of approval (from medical staff) to get going,” Roberts said. Along with not being activated for the five-game road trip, Van Slyke won’t return for the next homestand, which begins Monday, May 9.
Van Slyke played in just four games before the injury, going 1-for-9 with a double and two RBIs. Kiké Hernandez, Howie Kendrick and Trayce Thompson have seen playing time in left field in Van Slyke’s absence.
