Prior to the start of the season, much of the talk surrounding the Los Angeles Dodgers was centered around the depleting pitching staff, which saw six pitchers placed on the disabled list come Opening Day.
However, the Dodgers also endured multiple injuries in their outfield core beginning in Spring Training, and continuing into the first week of the regular season. Andre Ethier sustained a fractured tibia after fouling a ball off his shin on March 18, while Carl Crawford and Scott Van Slyke were on the DL by April 12.
While Crawford has since returned from his back injury, Van Slyke’s recovery was much slower. In addition, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Van Slyke’s back issue was worse than the soreness the club initially diagnosed him with.
It wasn’t until recently that Van Slyke was cleared to begin participating in baseball activities. However, he’s made significant progress since that point, which Roberts said opens the possibility of Van Slyke beginning a rehab assignment this week, via Jack Baer of MLB.com:
“I was pleasantly surprised by how the ball was coming off his bat,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s moving around really well, taking balls off the bat and the way he was swinging. I think later this week is realistic now, I really do.”
Van Slyke played in just four games before the injury, going 1-for-9 with a double and two RBIs. He batted .309/.387/.545 with two doubles, one triple, three home runs and six RBIs over 20 Spring Training games.
While Van Slyke’s return would give the Dodgers another versatile outfielder and an option to spell Adrian Gonzalez at first base, it may also require the club to make a difficult roster decision.
Depending on what unfolds with Alex Guerrero at the conclusion of his rehab assignment, the Dodgers may need to option one of Kiké Hernandez or Trayce Thompson. Charlie Culberson also has options remaining.
