As the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to move closer to a seventh consecutive National League West title, there’s plenty of focus on the likes of Kiké Hernandez, Jedd Gyorko, Ross Stripling, Chris Taylor and Alex Verdugo.
Each currently resides on the injured list and is expected to factor into setting a likely postseason roster. In terms of Gyorko, he’s yet to make his Dodgers debut after being acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals at the July 31 trade deadline.
The Cardinals placed Gyorko on the 10-day injured list June 8, then transferred him to the 60-day IL on July 30. He went into a rehab assignment feeling fully recovered from back and calf trouble, and 100% healthy after having a bone spur removed from his right wrist.
Entering Sunday, he’d gone a combined 5-for-12 with one double, one home run and three RBI with Double-A Tulsa (two games) and Triple-A Oklahoma City (three).
“Every day, which is most important, he feels good coming out of games,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s taking good at-bats. I would say around a week or so he’ll be back with us.”
Chris Taylor & Kiké Hernandez nearing rehab assignment
Taylor (left forearm fracture) and Hernandez (left hand sprain) have made similar progress in their respective recoveries. “They’re both in a good place, both are taking swings, (seeing) live pitching,” Roberts said.
“When they go out (on rehab assignment), it’s probably going to be some time next week. We’ll see where that leads. They’re both getting better each day, which is encouraging.”
At the time of suffering the injury, Taylor estimated he would be sidelined four to six weeks by the non-displaced fracture. That projection had him returning by late August.
Meanwhile, a report indicated Hernandez could remain on the IL into September.
Ross Stripling playing catch
Stripling was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with High-A Rancho Cucamonga last week but was scratched due to neck trouble resurfacing. It shut Stripling down and has him likely to return as a relief pitcher because of limited time to build back up as a starter.
After days of not throwing, Stripling is now playing catch. “Where he’s at, his timetable to come back, kind of remains to be seen still,” Roberts said. “He still needs to throw a ‘pen and get out on rehab, so I’m really hesitant to even give a timeline.”
Roberts considers Stripling an important piece for his potential bullpen in the postseason and is eager to see the right-hander back on the mound.
Alex Verdugo still inactive
Verdugo’s lower back trouble in reality was a right oblique strain that landed him on the 10-day injured list Aug. 6. At that point Roberts said the rookie outfielder was likely to miss multiple weeks and go a period of time without participating in any baseball activities.
Verdugo, who remains on track to report to Camelback Ranch this week, has not yet begun doing much. “It’s going to be a couple weeks,” Roberts reiterated.
“With an oblique you’ve got to make sure you get it right. Where we’re at in the calendar, you can’t have any setbacks.”
