Along with pitchers Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu, the Los Angeles Dodgers have a few position players who are also on the mend after undergoing respective surgeries. Once Los Angeles was eliminated from the postseason, Yasmani Grandal, Kiké Hernandez and Justin Turner all went under the knife.
Hernandez had arthroscopic surgery to clean up his right shoulder, while Grandal underwent arthroscopic surgery on the AC joint in his left shoulder. Turner was originally scheduled for arthroscopic surgery to clean up loose bodies in his left knee, though the operation included microfracture surgery.
All three players were projected to be ready in time for Opening Day of the 2016 season. Grandal was cleared to hit from both sides of the plate and has progressed without any setbacks.
Although Turner’s surgery was more serious than initially expected, the area of knee that was operated on afforded him some good fortune as it was a non-weight bearing region.
Turner has been an active participant in drills during Spring Training, however Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the third baseman will miss the first week of Cactus League games, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Justin Turner (knee surgery) won't play in big league games the first week, Dave Roberts said, but on track for Opening Day.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 29, 2016
Alex Guerrero, Howie Kendrick and Chase Utley will receive time at third base in Turner’s absence:
Chase Utley, Howie Kendrick and Alex Guerrero will play 3B in games until Turner is ready.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 29, 2016
The Dodgers open Cactus League play on Thursday, March 3. Their first break in the schedule isn’t until March 23, with a pair of split-squad games preceding that.
Dodgers Complete 2016 Spring Training Schedule.
Playing in career-high 126 games last season, Turner batted .294/.370/.491 with 16 home runs, 60 RBIs, a .394 wOBA and 157 wRC+.
He carried that success into the postseason as he was the Dodgers’ best hitter, going 10-for-19 (.526 batting average) with six doubles and four RBIs in five National League Division Series games.
Turner was one of six players to avoid arbitration with the Dodgers, re-signing on a one-year, $5.1 million contract. He will be eligible for free agency after the 2016 season.
