The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Adrian Gonzalez from the 10-day disabled list and optioned Scott Van Slyke to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Los Angeles begins a four-game series with the Miami Marlins on Thursday, which also marks the start of a 10-game homestand.
Gonzalez spent two games on a rehab assignment with High-A Rancho Cucamonga. He went hitless in the first contest, then 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI on Wednesday night.
The rehab assignment was the first of Gonzalez’s career. The DL stint was also a first for the 14-year veteran. Gonzalez said he’s healthy and was pleased with the results from his brief time with the Quakes.
Gonzalez played through right forearm/elbow discomfort and more recently a chronic bulging disc in his back. It severely hindered Gonzalez’s production at the plate, as he hit just .255/.327/.309 with 11 RBI through 29 games. Gonzalez’s lone extra-base hits thus far are five doubles.
Van Slyke returns to Oklahoma City after appearing in six games for the Dodgers. He went 1-for-10 with one home run, one walk and three strikeouts during that span. Overall this season with Los Angeles, Van Slyke is 5-for-41 with one double, two home runs and three RBI in 28 games.
That amounts to a .122/.234/.293 batting line. He’s appeared in nine games (five starts) at first base, 11 games (two starts) in left field and one game each in center and right field.
When the Dodgers first demoted Van Slyke, manager Dave Roberts said the move would allow for the utility man to sort through mechanical issues at the plate.
With optioning Van Slyke serving as the corresponding move to activating Gonzalez, it leaves Cody Bellinger entrenched in left field. Bellinger recently said he was looking forward to being in the same lineup with a healthy Gonzalez.
