The Los Angeles Dodgers will get closer to full strength this weekend with AJ Pollock and Jimmy Nelson both due to be reinstated from the 10-day injured list for the Atlanta Braves series.
Pollock completed a rehab assignment with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday night, appearing in four games over five days.
Pollock has been out since May 15 due to a left hamstring strain that was aggravated in his first game back. The Dodgers originally attempted to nurse the veteran outfielder back to health without an IL stint, but were determined to be more cautious the second time around.
Prior to joining the Quakes, Pollock began testing his hamstring by running the bases and taking batting practice at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged having Pollock join a Minor League affiliate was not a foregone conclusion.
With that now completed, the Dodgers hope to further strengthen their lineup and bench. After a slow start, Pollock is batting .277/.333/.457 with five doubles, four home runs and 17 RBI in 32 games.
Pollock’s return will further allow for more opportunities to rest Chris Taylor, which Roberts said he is mindful of after heavily leaning on the super utility man amidst the team’s rash of injuries.
Nelson clears final hurdle
Nelson has been on the IL one fewer week than Pollock and is poised to be activated without going on a rehab assignment. The Dodgers instead had the right-hander build up to throwing live batting practice this week as the last step.
“He was good. I thought the stuff was good. The fastball had life, both breaking balls were sharp,” Roberts said. “There wasn’t the command that he would probably like, but right now it’s just kind of how he feels.”
Nelson spoke with media shortly after facing batters and said he felt well. That remained the case Wednesday, which further cemented his pending return.
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