After playing a short series against the Houston Astros to conclude their road trip, the Los Angeles Dodgers will return to Dodger Stadium for a seven-game homestand that begins Thursday against the San Francisco Giants.
The four-game set marks a second meeting between the National League West rivals in the past week. The Dodgers are coming off sweeping a weekend series at Oracle Park, which extended their winning streak to seven games heading into play against the Astros.
When the Dodgers next face the Giants, it could come with Cody Bellinger and Zach McKinstry back on the active roster. Both have been with Triple-A Oklahoma City on rehab assignments since last Friday.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Bellinger and McKinstry being activated at some point this weekend was a “fair hope.”
After a day off on Saturday, Bellinger was in the OKC lineup for his first back-to-back. He extended that to playing three consecutive games while also appearing in a day after a night game on Tuesday. Bellinger entered the day 2-for-11 with one home run, two RBI and two strikeouts thus far.
McKinstry was in the lineup for the series finale against the Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado Rockies affiliate) after his first scheduled off day. He’s 1-for-8 with a double and two walks in three games, which includes one appearance off the bench.
Bellinger, McKinstry grew ‘bored’
Weeks of rehabbing at the Dodgers’ Camelback Ranch alternate training site apparently grew mundane for Bellinger and McKinstry.
“They’re both ready to go. I think they’re both bored with the rehab and want to get out and play,” Roberts said before the rehab assignments began.
Bellinger last played for the Dodgers on April 5, when he was spiked in the left calf in the ninth inning of a blowout win over the Oakland Athletics. Bellinger was initially diagnosed with a contusion but a CT scan more than one week later revealed a hairline fracture in his left fibula.
McKinstry has been on the 10-day injured list since April 23 because of a right oblique strain.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in our shows and giveaways, and more!
