The Los Angeles Dodgers completed their first workout in advance of the 2019 National League Division Series on Tuesday, which provided Justin Turner with an opportunity to see live pitching for the first time since last week.
Turner missed the final five games of the regular season due to back tightness, which surfaced after he only appeared in four contests upon returning from a sprained left ankle that sidelined him for two weeks.
Gavin Lux, Max Muncy, Corey Seager and Turner were among the position players to log at-bats in a simulated game against Tony Gonsolin and Pedro Baez.
“He was out there taking swings, took some grounders. Everything I get from the training staff and J.T., he’ll be ready to go Thursday,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts of Turner’s health. “So that helps as far as solidifying the positional player side of the roster.
“Ankle’s healed up. It’s just the back. He took some swings in San Francisco on Friday in the cage and felt fine. Just felt to take a couple extra days off of it, to then reset and recalibrate, that was the best course of action. Our training staff supported it. Right now, where he’s at, I feel very confident he’ll be able to perform at his level come Thursday.”
Roberts’ assertion was consistent with his previous remarks and those of Turner. The 34-year-old regularly maintained he was capable of playing through both the ankle and back discomfort and would’ve if the Dodgers were already in the postseason or had the games missed carried more significance in the standings.
With Turner in good health, the Dodgers finalized their NLDS roster prior to the conclusion of the Wild Card Game. Outside of also revealing Matt Beaty, Lux and Will Smith were included, Roberts declined to delve into much detail.
He did say the outcome of the NL Wild Card no bearing on the Dodgers’ decisions.
