Dodgers Updates: Michael Kopech, Roki Sasaki, Hyeseong Kim, Kirby Yates, Tanner Scott & Kiké Hernández

5 Min Read

The Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed Max Muncy back to their lineup on Monday night but continue to deal with injuries to key contributors, including just losing Tommy Edman to a sprained right ankle.

Manager Dave Roberts said the team is not yet certain of a timeline for Edman’s recovery from a sprained right ankle, and that similar line of thinking also applies to Kiké Hernández as he remains on the mend from a left elbow injury suffered on a slide into home plate.

There additionally isn’t clarity yet with Kirby Yates, but the likes of Michael Kopech, Roki Sasaki, Hyeseong Kim and Tanner Scott are making progress in their respective recoveries.

Dodgers updates

Michael Kopech

Kopech underwent surgery for a torn meniscus and was transferred to the 60-day injured list shortly after despite believing he could return before that timeframe.

The right-hander is pain-free and looking forward to being activated once eligible on Aug. 27.

“He’s antsy,” Roberts said. “I know he’s going to throw another ‘pen [Tuesday], which he just did a few days ago. He’s raring to go. What that means as far as facing hitters, is there a rehab assignment and all this stuff, I don’t know.

“But he is really knocking on the door to get back.”

Tanner Scott

Scott started a throwing program last week and was playing catch at Dodger Stadium on Monday.

“Tanner is doing great. I think he’s going to throw a bullpen [Tuesday] or in the next couple of days,” Roberts said.

Kirby Yates

Yates was put on the 15-day injured list due to an official designation of lower back pain, but the Dodgers are still working to figure out the root cause.

“Still trying to figure out the legs, the hips, trying to figure out exactly what it is,” Roberts said. “I don’t know what the time to return is, but I’m very confident he’s going to get back to who he is soon enough.”

Hyeseong Kim

Kim played through an ailing left shoulder for one week before going on the IL and receiving a cortisone injection. He was shut down in the days after but on Monday was fielding grounders at second base.

“He said he’s about 90%, which probably means about 80 to 85%,” Roberts quipped. “He swung a bat today, which is good. Out there running and around taking grounders. It should be short-lived, his time on the IL. Hopefully.”

Roki Sasaki

Sasaki pitched two innings against batters at Camelback Ranch this past Saturday, during which Roberts said his fastball velocity got up to the mid-90s.

Sasaki is due to face batters at Dodger Stadium on Friday, extending to three innings.

“If that goes well, he should go out on a rehab assignment,” Roberts said.

Kiké Hernández

Hernández has been out since the middle of July because of left elbow inflammation, an injury that has lingered longer than expected. He initially was projected to return shortly after the All-Star break.

“He’s doing everything he can as far as the PRPs, the cortisones, the rest, other non-invasive procedures to try to speed this thing up. Right now, we’re all still hopeful,” Roberts said.

“Certainly no guarantee, but we’re hopeful that he’ll be back.”

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Executive Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
Exit mobile version