Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
At this point of the season, as the Dodgers play mostly meaningless baseball, the most important question is “who will be healthy and ready for the playoffs?” There are plenty of updates in that area before today’s game.
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Pirates
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Dodgers
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1:10 p.m.
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Los Angeles
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RF
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Polanco
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LF
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Crawford
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LF
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Marte
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2B
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Utley
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CF
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McCutchen
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SS
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Seager
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3B
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Ramirez
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RF
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Ethier
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2B
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Walker
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C
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Grandal
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C
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Cervelli
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1B
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Van Slyke
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1B
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Alvarez
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CF
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Pederson
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Mercer
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3B
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Guerrero
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P
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Cole (R)
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P
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Bolsinger (R)
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Justin Turner, who exited in the middle of last night’s loss, is sitting with a sore left knee. It sounds like the Dodgers don’t have a great understanding of what’s happening with it yet, so it’s hard to say how long he’ll be out. Turner’s knees are always the reason cited for not playing him every day, and now it looks like there’s validity to it. Alex Guerrero will start in Turner’s place, as Jimmy Rollins gets another day of rest. Corey Seager, who can probably fill in for Turner at third if Rollins gets healthy, is starting at short today. He’s also batting third, which is fun.
Adrian Gonzalez also isn’t starting today, against a right-handed starting pitcher. Gonzalez is day-to-day with back stiffness. Scott Van Slyke, recently sidelined with a cyst on his hand, is apparently healthy enough to start in Gonzalez’ place. Howie Kendrick is getting the day off after his return last night, with Chase Utley starting at second instead. With this recent run of injuries, it’s pretty amazing that the Dodgers have been able to maintain a mostly-competent lineup. Depth!
There was additional good injury news today: Enrique Hernandez is on the mend. Hernandez is going to Camelback Ranch to rehab and could be ready to rejoin the team in about a week. Jose Peraza and Yasiel Puig will be going to Camelback next week as well, but it sounds like they are still far away from returning.
In the meantime, there’s a game today too! Gerrit Cole goes against the Dodgers, the first right-handed starter they’ve seen in almost a week. The run of lefties gave some extra time for Yasmani Grandal‘s shoulder to rest, but he’s back in the lineup today. Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford have been sitting with the lefties going, but they’re both also back in the lineup. Mike Bolsinger gets the start for the Dodgers, and has effectively replaced Mat Latos in the rotation for the rest of the season.
