Infielder Breyvic Valera called up from Triple-A before Arizona series finale
04/15 Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m. PT:
Chris Taylor CF
Corey Seager SS
Matt Kemp LF
Cody Bellinger 1B
Yasiel Puig RF
Austin Barnes C
Chase Utley 2B
Kiké Hernández 3B
Clayton Kershaw P
by Rowan Kavner
The shoulder discomfort that forced Logan Forsythe out of Saturday’s game against the Diamondbacks now has him on the 10-day disabled list, but manager Dave Roberts said it’s feasible Forsythe returns once those 10 days are up.
Infielder Breyvic Valera has been recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City as Forsythe, who has shoulder inflammation but no structural damage, gets some time to rest a shoulder that Roberts said “he was battling with” throughout the spring.
“There were a couple days in there we tried to give him a day to rest his shoulder,” Roberts said. “Yesterday, it just kind of tightened up on him and he said there was some fatigue in there. We wanted to get him out of there and get some pictures. It’s something actually he’s battled for the last six weeks.”
The pictures revealed no structural damage, and the hope is the 10 days off will allow Forsythe to build strength and put the shoulder fatigue behind him.
In Valera, who was acquired at the start of April from St. Louis in exchange for Minor League outfielder Johan Mieses, the Dodgers add a versatile fielder who’s already played second base, shortstop and third base in his short time with the Oklahoma City Dodgers this season. While he’s spent the majority of his career at second base, he has experience all over, including every outfield spot in his Minor League career.
Valera said he doesn’t care what position they ask him to play.
“I’m very happy that they gave me the opportunity,” Valera said through an interpreter. “I’m happy that they were able to look at me and, being that I came from another team, they were willing to give me this opportunity and I’m thankful and I’m going to work hard.”
The 26-year-old infielder was 6-for-19 with two doubles and a .417 on-base percentage in seven games with Oklahoma City this year. In his 24 plate appearances, he had more walks (4) than strikeouts (3).
He made his Major League debut last year for the Cardinals but spent the majority of the 2017 season with Triple-A Memphis, slashing .314/.368/.450 with eight home runs and 11 stolen bases in 117 games. Valera also had more walks than strikeouts at Triple-A in 2017 and 2016.
Valera was in the Dodger clubhouse Sunday morning in time for the series finale against Arizona. This is his first stint with the Dodgers’ big-league club.
“Just saw him, really nice young man from Venezuela,” Roberts said. “Athletic, switch-hitter, can play anywhere essentially on the field, good runner. National League, our ball club, it makes sense. We’ll try to get him in there and get his feet wet.”
With Forsythe out, the Dodgers have lost their primary backup third baseman in addition to their All-Star starter, Justin Turner, who continues to work his way back from a fractured left wrist.
Roberts said the injuries give Kiké Hernández a “little bit of a runway” at third base, with Kyle Farmer possibly getting some time there as well. It is Hernández in the starting lineup at third base Sunday, with Clayton Kershaw on the mound trying to avoid a second Dodger sweep at the hands of the Diamondbacks in the first few weeks of the season.
Kershaw is looking for his first win of the year, taking an 0–2 record into Sunday’s matinee despite a 1.89 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 19 innings this year. He’ll need some more run support to avoid his first 0–3 start to a season since his rookie year in 2008, receiving a combined three runs of offense in his first three starts of 2018.
At Dodger Stadium, Kershaw has been his dominant self in his career against Arizona, with an 8–1 record and a 1.54 ERA in 13 starts.
Of course, this time will be in a different jersey than his normal “22,” as everyone around baseball wears the №42 to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day.
The first 40,000 fans attending today’s game will receive a special Jackie Robinson Day jersey, presented by Bank of America. Among the special pregame ceremonies, including a recognition of several Jackie Robinson Foundation scholars, Dodger legend Don Newcombe will be honored.
“It’s an honor every single time you put on the jersey, but to wear 42 — and I just had a conversation with Don Newcombe in there, I think that as frustrating as things might be right now for us, it gives us a chance to get out of our little bubble and get a little perspective,” Roberts said.
