After 13 seasons of avoiding the disabled list, Adrian Gonzalez has twice landed on the DL this year. The Los Angeles Dodgers accelerated his return in May because of a season-ending injury to Andrew Toles, but are being more deliberate and cautious a second time around.
Back trouble forced Gonzalez to the DL on June 13 and after that sought multiple opinions on a herniated disc that’s become a chronic issue. Just as with Andre Ethier and Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers were confident surgery was not necessary.
Gonzalez eventually received an epidural injection, which he also took in May 2016 to treat back discomfort. While it’s led to some relief, the veteran first baseman has not recovered as expected, according to Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
“In talking to Adrian, he still gets stiff,” Roberts said before Saturday’s game against the San Diego Padres. “He’s not where he wants to be.”
Thus, Gonzalez is not likely to return during the final week before the All-Star break. The general expectation has him coming off the disabled list some time in August.
For comparison’s sake, Kershaw missed 10 weeks last season with a similar injury, and Ethier has yet to appear in a game this year after an MRI in March revealed a mild herniated disc.
Prior to receiving the epidural, Gonzalez was in search of a more long-term solution. The 35-year-old explained that was with extending his career in mind. Should Gonzalez’s condition, which has worsened since last season, not improve, he suggested retirement could be in order after the 2018 season.
Regardless of what Gonzalez ultimately decides, next season figures very well be his last with the Dodgers.
