The Los Angeles Dodgers continued to add and remove players from the disabled list on Tuesday, activating Yasmani Grandal and Howie Kendrick prior to their 2016 home opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Kendrick was in the lineup, batting fifth and starting at second base. Grandal is expected to make his regular season debut on Wednesday. In advance of reinstating the duo, the Dodgers optioned Micah Johnson back to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday.
A second roster spot was cleared by placing Scott Van Slyke on the 15-day disabled list. Van Slyke tweaked his back on Saturday and was removed in the third inning. He downplayed the issue and said the expectation was he would return in the coming days.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Sunday it appeared Van Slyke was likely to avoid a DL stint. A similar situation unfolded with Carl Crawford, who also landed on the disabled list due to an ailing back.
Crawford was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, though it was passed over and he’s expected to be activated after the minimum 15 days. Van Slyke appeared in four games thus far, making three starts — all in left field once Crawford could no longer play through the back pain.
Van Slyke was 1-for-9 with one double, two RBIs and one strikeout. Prior to the season beginning, the versatile outfielder said he was hoping to recapture his 2014 form. A wrist injury prevented Van Slyke from being included on the Dodgers’ postseason roster last year as his effectiveness at the plate washed away.
Van Slyke finished 2015 batting .239/.317/.383 with 14 doubles, six home runs, 30 RBIs, a .305 wOBA and 95 wRC+ in 253 plate appearances over 96 games.
