The Los Angeles Dodgers reached the All-Star break sitting in first place in the National League West and went on to acquire Manny Machado before the second half began. But if there was a concern, it lied with Justin Turner and his lingering adductor/groin injury.
He missed the final three games of the first half but Turner and the Dodgers maintained the issue likely would not require a stint on the 10-day disabled list. The four days off for the break were expected to suit Turner well.
Despite that, he was not in the lineup for the series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. Nor did Turner start the following night, but he did appear as a pinch-hitter.
Following the Dodgers’ loss, Turner said he anticipated being in the lineup for the rubber match at Miller Park. That came to fruition but he was removed early due to right groin tightness.
Now Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the 33-year-old might be bound for the DL, according to
Pedro Moura of The Athletic:
It sounds like Justin Turner could head to the disabled list with that groin or adductor strain. Turner didn’t aggravate it today, Dave Roberts said, but he still felt it.
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) July 22, 2018
Sunday’s start was Turner’s first since July 11; he’d gone 0-for-2 as a pinch-hitter during that time. Turner went 1-for-2 with an RBI double prior to coming out against the Brewers. The double was his first extra-base hit since July 2.
In addition to the recent adductor/groin issue, Turner at times has been bothered by lingering soreness in his left wrist that was fractured during Spring Training. Although Roberts doesn’t prefer it, Manny Machado may need to slide over to third base if Turner lands on the DL.
Max Muncy committed two errors in Saturday’s loss, and picked up another fielding error on Sunday immediately after sliding over to third base to replace Turner.
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