This offseason was a crazy one for Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson as not only did he go to an arbitration hearing, but it was reported he was actually traded to the L.A. Angels along with Ross Stripling.
The deal was held up due to complications with the Mookie Betts trade though, which angered Angels owner Arte Moreno, leading to him pulling out of the agreement. Because of that, both Pederson and Stripling remain members of the Dodgers and have reported to Camelback Ranch for Spring Training.
While all of that was going on, Pederson his arbitration hearing that he ended up losing. He attempted to get it pushed back due to not knowing what team he was going to be on, but the league would not allow it.
While Pederson called the last few weeks a bit awkward, he concluded that he is happy to still be with the Dodgers and ready to help the team get back to the World Series in 2020.
It appears his spring is not off to the best start though as Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that he’s dealing with a minor injury. “Joc’s got a little side issue,” Roberts said Saturday.
“I don’t know which side it is, but where we’re at right now, kind of minimizing activity, he’ll ramp back up starting tomorrow. Yesterday and today, very minimal. He’ll go back to swinging a bat tomorrow. When he’s due to play in a game, that remains to be seen. But, certainly more preventative.”
Pederson is not the only player dealing with a minor injury as pitchers Dustin May and Jimmy Nelson have also been slowed to begin camp.
These minor issues aren’t a surprise this time of the year though, so the Dodgers will be extra cautious with Pederson to ensure that he is 100 percent healthy and avoids serious injury. There still is more than a month until Opening Day, which leaves him plenty of time to get prepared.
As it currently stands, Pederson will likely be the Dodgers’ primary starter in left field against right-handed pitching as part of a platoon with A.J. Pollock. He is coming off a career year in which he hit .249/.339/.538 with 36 home runs, 83 runs scored and 74 RBI in 149 games.
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