With Los Angeles Dodgers position players officially reporting for Spring Training, the first full-squad workout is being held Tuesday. As is normally the case, there are some players dealing with minor injuries; mainly pitchers who have been throwing bullpen sessions.
Joe Kelly, Mitch White and Nolan Long are among those dealing with various arm injuries through their first week being at Camelback Ranch. “Joe is moving around, think he played catch today,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday.
“So Joe is kind of on track. Nothing new to report on Mitchell White. I know Nolan Long just had a little soreness after his ‘pen, but probably just normal Spring Training soreness. Nothing of note really.”
Roberts additionally said there wasn’t a timetable for either Kelly or White, although it may be longer for the latter.
“Mitchell is still kind of just nursing that arm. He’s going to be slower, and we’ve just got to make sure he stays healthy,” Roberts said.
This is a big spring for White, who is looking to crack the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster for the first time in his career. The plan was for him to be built up as a starter, although his likely role when healthy could be as a swingman due to his ability to both start and come out of the bullpen.
Ruiz still not in camp
All Dodgers are present in camp with the exception of Keibert Ruiz, who has been having visa problems leaving Venezuela. Roberts is not sure when that will get sorted out.
“Keibert is still not here. I don’t have an update as far as a potential reporting date,” he said.
Even once Ruiz gets to Arizona, he will have to complete all of the protocols before taking the field with his teammates.
“Right now, as I understand it, he’s still trying to work through the visa situation,” Roberts said over the weekend. “Once he gets here with us he’ll have to do some intake testing and quarantine as well before we can get him in the clubhouse.”
Similar to White, this is also a big spring for Ruiz as he competes for a roster spot. With him reporting late and Will Smith and Austin Barnes already on the roster, Ruiz will likely begin the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
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