Adrian Gonzalez went 2-for-4 with a double and opposite-field home run in a rare start Tuesday night, then saw the book closed on his season the following afternoon. Gonzalez was suffering from back soreness, which prompted the Los Angeles Dodgers to shut down the veteran first baseman.
That rules him out for the postseason, though manager Dave Roberts allowed for the possibility of a change in course if unforeseen circumstances set in. This season has been particularly trying for Gonzalez, who landed on the disabled list for the first time in his career.
Three weeks returning from discomfort caused by the chronic bulging discs in his lower back, Gonzalez was placed on the DL a second time. That stint lasted five weeks.
“It’s obviously been his most difficult year of his career,” Roberts said. “It’s been very emotional to fight through it and play through injury.” Roberts added the decision to call it a year was a “unified” one.
In an interview with with David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio, Gonzalez acknowledged difficulty in accepting his fate, but conceded it was for the best:
“Obviously it’s difficult. When it comes to health and how you feel, I’ve had my ups and downs. I think it’s best for me moving forward to think about that. My whole career I’ve always put playing hurt ahead anything else. This year it just hasn’t gone the way I expected it to or wanted it to. It’s not an ideal situation, but I think it’s the best decision.”
Gonzalez deemed himself healthy at the time of coming off the 60-day disabled list in August. Less than two weeks later, he was removed from a game after six innings due to back tightness that was considered mild.
Shortly thereafter, Gonzalez received an epidural injection to alleviate discomfort. His already-sparse playing time grew even more infrequent. There was a focus placed on using Gonzalez as a pinch-hitter, which was his expected come the playoffs.
Gonzalez finished the season batting .242/.287/.355 with 17 doubles, three home runs and 30 RBI. He set a career low in slugging percentage, and his doubles and home runs are each the fewest since debuting with the Texas Rangers in 2004.
