Heading into their seventh game of Spring Training, the Los Angeles Dodgers expected to get their first look at Hyun-Jin Ryu. But the southpaw, along with Cody Bellinger, Yasiel Puig and several others, was scratched due to falling ill.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts estimated the virus claimed 25 players, coaches or trainers were sent home. Thus, he pieced together a lineup and traveling roster for Wednesday’s game against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Sports Complex.
Included in that group was Andrew Toles, who started in left field and played in back-to-back games for a second time this spring. Prior to last week, Toles hadn’t appeared in a game since suffering a torn ACL last May.
He entered the day a combined 1-for-7 with four strikeouts and one RBI. Toles added to that by clubbing a two-run home run halfway up the berm in right field in the first inning, via the Dodgers’ official Twitter account:
Welcome back, Tolesy! #DodgersST pic.twitter.com/qn6PSxm2a4
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 28, 2018
Then in the third inning, Toles drove in another run on a sacrifice fly. He’s among the players competing for playing time in left field, where the Dodgers are likely to platoon.
Along with providing some power from the left side, Toles is an option to spell Chris Taylor in the leadoff spot, and also gives the Dodgers a speed element. Prior to camp opening, general manager Farhan Zaidi said he was looking forward to Toles making his presence felt.
