After a rough couple of weeks, the Dodgers are back to their winning ways, finishing off an 8-1 homestand with a four-game sweep against the D-backs. They¡¯ve also added new faces in Yoshi Tsutsugo and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols.
Soon, the Dodgers could be getting a pair of key contributors back in the lineup.
Star outfielder Cody Bellinger and utility man Zach McKinstry began their respective rehab assignments Friday with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Bellinger, who has been out since April 6 with a hairline fracture in his left fibula, batted second and played center field.
Bellinger will likely need a lengthier rehab due to the fact that he has not gotten many at-bats this season. The former MVP was working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery during Spring Training and didn¡¯t appear in a game until March 15. Now he has missed nearly two months after just 21 regular-season plate appearances. Bellinger went 1-for-4 with an RBI single on Friday.
The Dodgers are going to make sure that Bellinger is 100 percent ready to play nine innings in the outfield, and they¡¯re going to be certain that he can contribute at the plate as soon as he¡¯s ready to be activated. In his absence, Chris Taylor and Mookie Betts will continue handling the center-field duties for the Dodgers.
McKinstry, on the other hand, batted third and played left field on Friday, going 0-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored. The utility man won¡¯t need as lengthy of a rehab assignment and it¡¯s possible that he could return to the big league club in about a week. He will play second and third base, as well as both corner outfield spots during his rehab assignment.
He was a big piece for the Dodgers before going down with an oblique injury on April 21. McKinstry¡¯s versatility freed the Dodgers up to get creative defensively. His offense was also a pleasant surprise. McKinstry was hitting .296 with three homers before the injury.
¡°I think they¡¯re both ready to go. I think they¡¯re both bored with the rehab, they want to get out and play,¡± said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. ¡°We¡¯ll just see how it goes. Taking at-bats, seeing how they recover being on their feet and then we¡¯ll kind of read and react then.¡±
Dodgers select Jones
After taxing most of their bullpen on Thursday, the Dodgers needed a fresh arm out of the bullpen. They decided to select the contract of right-hander Nate Jones, who was signed last week after a stint with the Braves earlier this season.
Jones, 35, went 0-2 with a 3.48 ERA in 12 appearances with the Braves this season. He struck out seven over 10 1/3 innings and walked 10. The veteran right-hander spent the 2020 season with the Reds after an eight-year stint with the White Sox.
To make room for Jones on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated infielder Travis Blankenhorn for assignment. Outfielder Luke Raley was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Jones on the active roster.
With Jones, the Dodgers had four arms available out of the bullpen for Friday¡¯s game against the Giants, with Edwin Uceta, Dennis Santana and Blake Treinen being the others.