The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Yasmani Grandal from the 15-day disabled list prior to Tuesday’s 2016 Dodger Stadium opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Scott Van Slyke was placed on the 15-day DL in a corresponding move to clear room on the 25-man roster.
Grandal began the season on the DL due to lingering forearm tightness that limited him to just eight Cactus League games. He went one week between playing, and upon returning to the lineup March 16, managed to appear in only four games before again dealing with the soreness.
Grandal was removed after two innings on March 21, and sent for further tests on his forearms, given the persistent issue. An MRI didn’t reveal any structural damage, though Grandal’s activity was limited in the days that followed the examination.
He remained at Camelback Ranch when the Dodgers broke camp, but was expected to join the club for the second game of the exhibition Freeway Series. However, Grandal didn’t report a clean bill of health after a simulated game, and remained in Arizona.
Although it appeared he would no longer join the Dodgers for their home opener, Grandal managed to make enough of a recovery to join Oklahoma City on a rehab assignment over the weekend. He started three games behind the plate and made another as the designated hitter.
Grandal went 3-for-9 with one home run, three RBIs and four strikeouts over the four games. He batted .375/.412/.688 with two doubles, one home run and three RBIs in 17 plate appearances this spring.
