Upon going 5-2 on their final road trip of the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers are enjoying an off day before a stretch of six consecutive games at Dodger Stadium, split evenly with matchups against the Oakland Athletics and L.A. Angels.
As the start of the postseason nears, the Dodgers are hopeful to get their full complement of players back this week. It began Monday with Joc Pederson being reinstated from the family medical emergency list and Zach McKinstry getting optioned.
Pederson had been inactive since Sept. 16, which created an opportunity for Zach McKinstry to make his MLB debut. The Dodgers did not provide any information behind Pederson’s leave, and he has made details public.
Pederson previously missed a game on Sept. 6, though there was the possibility he would join the team for the series finale against the Colorado Rockies. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the loss he didn’t make it to Dodger Stadium, and two days later Pederson was place on the paternity list.
He was activated after the maximum three days. The family emergency required Pederson to miss a minimum of three days.
He’s batting .174/.268/.376 with four doubles, six home runs and 12 RBI in 38 games this season. The down year comes after Pederson set career highs in batting average (.249), runs (83), hits (112), home runs (36), RBI (74) and on-base plus slugging percentage (.876) in 2019.
McKinstry made his MLB debut with a pinch-hit appearance against the San Diego Padres, then received his first start Sunday at Coors Field. He collected two hits — the first of his career.
Joc participated in simulated game
In addition to Pederson, the Dodgers also expect to welcome back Walker Buehler this week. He’s slated to be reinstated from the 10-day injured list on Thursday for a final start of the regular season.
Buehler has been sidelined since Sept. 10 due to a blister on his right index finger. It marked his second IL stint this season. Buehler completed a simulated game over the weekend, facing Pederson and others at the Dodgers’ alternate training site.
“It was 75 of the pitches were (with the blister) uncovered, which is great; the last 15 were covered. Really positive things,” Roberts said. “I think Joc took seven at-bats in that game as well, so expect him back on Tuesday.”
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