The Los Angeles Dodgers entered Spring Training with a handful of players still recovering from injuries, including Max Muncy, who was among those to arrive early at Camelback Ranch.
The 31-year-old sustained a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and dislocated left elbow on the final day of the regular season, but has resumed taking batting practice and expressed optimism he would be ready for Opening Day.
On the pitching side, Caleb Ferguson, Tommy Kahnle and Dustin May are on the mend from Tommy John surgery. Each pitcher is at a different stage in their respective recovery, but unlikely to be ready when the team breaks camp in three weeks.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently confirmed Ferguson and Kahnle aren’t expected to be on the Opening Day roster, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
Relievers Caleb Ferguson and Tommy Kahnle are unlikely to be ready for opening day, Roberts said, as they try to come back from Tommy John surgery.
The Dodgers signed Kahnle to a two-year contract in December 2020, with the expectation he would not be able to contribute until 2022. In his last full season with the New York Yankees in 2019, he pitched to a 3.67 ERA, 3.33 FIP and 1.06 WHIP with 88 strikeouts and 20 walks over 61.1 innings (72 appearances).
Ferguson also missed the entire 2021 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and is one of four Dodgers players eligible for salary arbitration. He was tendered a contract before the MLB lockout and is projected to earn $700,000 this season.
Ferguson went 2-1 with a 2.89 ERA, 3.57 FIP and 1.02 WHIP with 27 strikeouts against three walks in 18.2 innings in his last full season in 2020 (21 games).
Kershaw ‘really encouraged’ after facing Dodgers hitters
Clayton Kershaw, who returned to the Dodgers on a one-year, $17 million contract in free agency, noted he is fully recovered from the left forearm/elbow trouble that prevented him from pitching in the playoffs last season.
Although Kershaw is behind his usual throwing progression at this point on the calendar, he came away feeling good after facing hitters for the first time this spring. Kershaw’s one inning of live batting practice came against Mookie Betts, Justin Turner and AJ Pollock on a backfield at Camelback Ranch.
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