The Los Angeles Dodgers have dealt with more injuries than any other team in baseball this season, as the starting pitchers and outfielders in particular have struggled to stay on the field.
One of the more recent injuries came to outfielder Trayce Thompson, who tried to push through tightness in his lower back from late May through the All-Star break. He was ultimately placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 11, on July 16.
Thompson’s injury was later said to be more severe than the club initially realized. However, 25-year-old has made recent progress in his recovery and is nearing the start of a rehab assignment, according to J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group:
Trayce Thompson began swinging off a tee Wednesday, and the Dodgers’ injured outfielder believes he’ll be ready to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment sometime next week.
After a hot start to the season that earned himself regular playing, Thompson began to scuttle. It’s now apparent that was related to the back pain he was suppering. On the season he’s now batting .225/.302/.436 with 13 home runs and 32 RBIs in 80 games.
Despite the time missed, Thompson is tied for fourth on the team in homers and tied for sixth in RBIs. His ability to play all three outfield positions has proven key as Thompson filled in for an injured Joc Pederson in center field and Yasiel Puig in right.
In Thompson’s absence and with Puig ailing, the Dodgers have turned to rookie Andrew Toles. Los Angeles is believed to be considering trade options for an outfielder, with Cincinnati’s Jay Bruce, Colorado’s Carlos Gonzalez, and Oakland’s Josh Reddick among the names mentioned in trade rumors.
