The Los Angeles Dodgers progressed through camp and a week’s worth of Cactus League games without the services of Adrian Gonzalez. The veteran first baseman reported to Camelback Ranch with a right-elbow tendinitis, which required Gonzalez to be shut down.
He recently began swinging off a tee and taking soft toss, and on Monday advanced to appearing in a game for the Dodgers. Gonzalez served as the club’s designated hitter and went hitless in his pre-determined number of at-bats (two).
According to Owen Perkins of MLB.com, the light work sat well with Gonzalez:
“My swing’s fine,” Gonzalez said. “I was just trying to get a few at-bats before I head out, and today was a good start. They weren’t that great of at-bats, but they were productive, I guess. The fact that everything feels good is all that really matters right now.”
Gonzalez is expected to play first base, receive two at-bats on Tuesday, and he will then leave to join Team Mexico for the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Other Dodgers joining Gonzalez on the Mexico roster are Sergio Romo and prospect Alex Verdugo.
While Gonzalez is essentially going from weeks of inactivity into the thick of international competition, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts doesn’t have any concern. “With Adrian, he’s a different player,” Roberts recently said. “He has a very good feel for his body.”
Gonzalez, who will turn 35 years old in May, has appeared in a minimum of 156 games each year over the past 11 seasons. Roberts is hopeful to convince his ironman first baseman to accept additional rest this season, with the hope it will prove beneficial come the playoffs.
