After an impressive showing in Spring Training, Edwin Ríos was among the 12 position players included on the Los Angeles Dodgers Opening Day roster for the 2022 season.
Ríos was expected to take a step forward last year, but struggled out of the gate before landing on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation in early May. He had just four hits and was mired in an 0-for-32 skid at the time of being put on the IL.
Ríos unfortunately didn’t get an opportunity to redeem himself as he underwent season-ending surgery to repair a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder.
Now healthy again, Ríos has made the most of his limited playing time thus far, hitting .303/.324/.606 with one double, three home runs and nine RBI in 34 plate appearances (12 games).
The 28-year-old reiterated he is simply focused on remaining prepared for any opportunity that comes his way, via SportsNet LA:
“I’m feeling good. Taking things day-to-day, just trying to have good at-bats whenever I get the chance and just being ready.”
Ríos explained that he is keeping sharp by changing his routine and not doing the same things over:
“Just mixing it up in the cage, mixing it up in the routine and not doing the same things over and over again. Not being an everyday player, you don’t have that routine or luxury, so you’ve got to mix it up and challenge yourself. That’s what I’ve been doing.”
Entering the season, Ríos felt he was in a good spot with his swing and focused on refining his mechanics during the offseason. “I’m feeling good,” he said at the time. “Kind of had a long offseason. So kind of went to the basics.
“Got back on the tee, try to slow things down a little bit. Just working on the little things, putting the ball in play a little more. Just excited.”
Alberto explains celebration for Ríos home run
Although Hanser Alberto has only received minimal opportunities thus far with the Dodgers, he’s brought an infectious energy to the dugout. Alberto regularly is seen dancing by himself or with teammates to celebrate highlights, and last month his gesture after a Ríos home run went viral.
Dodgers broadcasters Joe Davis and Orel Hershiser referred to Alberto’s hand motion as grinding pepper.
In a response on Twitter about the celebration, Alberto said he’s referred to as pepper and Ríos is called salt. However, the initial tweet to the 29-year-old potentially was somewhat sarcastic when asking about pepper, and Alberto did include laughing emojis in his response.
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