Providing injury updates each morning — and in some cases following a Cactus League game — has become as regular of an occurrence during Spring Training for manager Dave Roberts as setting a lineup.
The Dodgers’ pitching staff was first to absorb multiple injuries, then the pandemic took at aim at position players. As it stands, the Dodgers are likely to begin the 2016 season with Brett Anderson, Mike Bolsinger, Andre Ethier, Brandon McCarthy, Frankie Montas and Hyun-Jin Ryu on the disabled list.
Depending on how this week unfolds, Yasmani Grandal and Howie Kendrick may join the group. Grandal is still suffering from right forearm soreness, which was an issue he also dealt with earlier in camp.
Kendrick is currently sidelined with a left calf strain that was initially expected to keep him out but a few days. The veteran infielder hasn’t played since getting scratched from Thursday’s lineup, and will remain in Arizona when the Dodgers break camp.
According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Roberts said Grandal may also remain in Arizona, though hopes the catcher can go through the necessary process to be part of the Opening Day roster:
“We could go either way [on Grandal],” Roberts said. “I’m hopeful there still are ways of maneuvering at-bats so he can open with us.”
An MRI of Grandal’s right forearm didn’t reveal any structural damage. He’s been limited in recent days to defensive work and catching bullpen sessions without throwing the ball back to the pitcher.
If the Dodgers are to place Grandal or Kendrick on the disabled list, they can backdate it to March 25 so that either player would be eligible to be reinstated April 9. However, that course of action is only possible if a player doesn’t appear in a game between March 25 and the start of the regular season.
Grandal is batting .375/.412/.688 with one home run, two doubles and three RBIs in 17 plate appearances over eight games this spring. He underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason to treat a nagging injury that led to a second-half slump in 2015.
