The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Joc Pederson (sprained AC joint) on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 29, and selected the contract of Will Venable on Friday. Los Angeles also formally placed Clayton Kershaw on the DL and activated Bud Norris.
Pederson missed the final two games against the Milwaukee Brewers due to what was first diagnosed as a bruise in the AC joint of his right shoulder. The injury occurred on an impressive catch Pederson in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s game to rob Chris Carter of an extra-base hit.
Pederson’s momentum carried him into the center field fence and he was immediately removed from the game. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Thursday the young center fielder had some improvement, but said more was needed to avoid a DL stint.
“He has a sprained AC joint and where we were at, he’s going to get a cortisone shot to calm the pain,” Roberts said of the decision on Friday. “That takes a couple days to recover from and essentially missing six or seven games, it just kind of made sense for us.”
Venable signed with the Dodgers June 14 — four days after he opted of a Minor League contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. The veteran outfielder had one hit (double), one hit by pitch and three strikeouts in 11 plate appearances over six games with the Dodgers.
He was designated for assignment on June 24 when the Dodgers called up Nick Tepesch for a spot start against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Venable cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
With Venable back in the fold, the Dodgers once again have a left-handed bat available off the bench.
