Outfielder Andrew Toles became a breakout star for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016, as he went from working in a grocery store a year before to batting leadoff for the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series.
He looked to repeat his 2016 performance in 2017, as he began the season as the team’s starting left fielder, but his season was cut short as he tore his ACL sliding for a ball in May, ending his season.
While it was a tough break for the 25-year-old who was getting his first Major League opportunity, Toles has remained focused in his rehab in hopes of returning to the Dodgers in 2018.
The beginning of November marked a big milestone in Toles’ rehab, as he swung a bat for the first time since undergoing the surgery.
A month later it appears he is continuing to make progress, as he posted a video to his personal Instagram account sprinting on a treadmill saying that his knee feels great:
Before the injury, Toles was looking to have another strong season in 2017. In just 102 plate appearances, he batted .271/.314/.458 with three doubles, five home runs and 15 RBI.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman recently expressed optimism that Toles will be fully recovered from his injury by Opening Day in 2018, and if that is the case then he should figure into the starting outfield picture once again depending on what moves Los Angeles makes this offseason.
Even if he doesn’t start to begin the season, Toles provides outfield depth that the Dodgers front office values so much, so he should get plenty of opportunities if he proves he is healthy.
