Health Update
One of the most anticipated 2016 debuts came just this weekend, as Cody Bellinger returned from a hip injury that cost him the first three weeks of the season. Bellinger made a name for himself last year by clubbing 30 home runs with the Quakes, then played well in the spring.
Luckily, the injury seems relatively minor and shouldn’t be a recurring issue. Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ No. 3 prospect coming into the year has yet to pitch in a competitive game, but that should change soon.
Jose De Leon, who made a few appearances during his time in Major League camp, missed the start of the season with an ankle injury but is slated to debut with Oklahoma City on Tuesday. The 23-year-old right-hander has struck out an astonishing 335 batters in 244.1 career innings.
The timeline on Frankie Montas is still somewhat unclear, as he began a throwing program in the first week of March but the details of his recovery have been sporadic, at best, since then. He posted video of himself throwing a bullpen, but since then it’s been radio silence.
With the bullpen’s struggles and Montas’ electric fastball, it isn’t difficult to imagine he could help the Dodgers’ bullpen this season. Another top prospect who has yet to throw a pitch for the Dodgers is Walker Buehler.
Last year’s first-rounder had Tommy John surgery about two months after he was selected 24th overall. In Spring Training, I saw him doing throwing drills with a towel, but it’s doubtful that he pitches competitively this season. Hopefully he’ll be back on the mound for instructional league and be ready for 2017.
CONTINUE READING: Prospects who are making an early impression
