If the Los Angeles Dodgers felt as though they were snakebitten by injuries throughout Spring Training, the regular season certainly hasn’t brought any relief. Prior to Saturday’s game against the San Francisco Giants, Carl Crawford was placed on the disabled list due to a bothersome back.
Crawford battled the discomfort during the spring, and hoped he’d be able to return after multiple days of rest. Three innings into the marquee matchup between Madison Bumgarner and Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers had an another outfielder removed due to injury.
With the bases loaded and one out, Scott Van Slyke stepped into the batter’s box looking to help the Dodgers tie or take the lead. He swung and missed Bumgarner’s second offering, and grimaced before stepping back in the batter’s box.
Van Slyke remained in the game and was hit by the next pitch on his left elbow. However, rather than take first base, Van Slyke was replaced by pinch-runner Joc Pederson. According to Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA, Van Slyke was removed due to lower back tightness:
Lower back tightness for @ScottVanSlick. #Dodgers
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) April 9, 2016
Van Slyke doesn’t believe the back issue is a serious matter, per J.P. Hoornstra of the LA Daily News group:
SVS's level of concern over back injury is low. Tightened up on him in the field. Same could be said for Carl Crawford yesterday, too.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) April 10, 2016
Along with Crawford, outfielder Andre Ethier is also on the DL after sustaining a fractured right tibia as a result of fouling a pitch off his leg. The fracture was discovered on March 22 and at the time, Ethier was projected to miss 10 to 14 weeks.
Van Slyke expected to be part of a platoon with Crawford in left field until Ethier returned. Coming off a disappointing close to last season, the 29-year-old Van Slyke said he was looking to recapture the form he had in 2014.
