With a bullpen that was in turmoil while Kenley Jansen was on the 10-day disabled list, the Los Angeles Dodgers hoped Ross Stripling would help be part of a solution.
But before Stripling was available to appear out of the bullpen, he landed on the DL himself because of what the team officially diagnosed as lower back inflammation. Stripling said an MRI revealed two compressed discs.
Nonetheless, neither he nor the Dodgers issued much concern. Stripling was optimistic he would return after the minimum 10 days, while manager Dave Roberts wasn’t quite as confident but felt the right-hander wouldn’t be out for a prolonged stretch.
After playing catch gave way to a bullpen session earlier this week, Stripling was scheduled to face liver hitters at Dodger Stadium on Friday.
However, that was pushed back a day, according to Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
Sidelined for more than two weeks with inflammation in his lower back, Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling was scheduled to throw a simulated game Saturday that would be a final hurdle to clear before the team activates him from the disabled list.
Assuming Stripling gets through the simulated game without issue, he could be available to pitch and activated on Tuesday; the Dodgers have Monday off. It’s presumed that barring injury to members in their rotation, Stripling would be placed in the bullpen upon returning.
However, Roberts previously made it clear the club intended to get Stripling back in the rotation before long.
