Injury Updates: Koehler out for season, Puig expected back this weekend
07/24 Dodgers at Phillies, 4:05 p.m. PT:
Joc Pederson LF
Manny Machado 3B
Max Muncy 1B
Yasmani Grandal C
Chris Taylor SS
Cody Bellinger CF
Kiké Hernández 2B
Alex Verdugo RF
Kenta Maeda P
by Rowan Kavner
Manager Dave Roberts told reporters that reliever Tom Koehler underwent season-ending surgery on his shoulder Tuesday.
Koehler didn’t pitch for the Dodgers this year after dealing with a right anterior shoulder capsule sprain suffered during the spring.
While Koehler is out, a few injured Dodgers are expected back soon as Kenta Maeda takes the mound Tuesday coming off two straight wins — one as a starter and one as a reliever.
Roberts told reporters reliever Pedro Báez (biceps tendinitis) is expected to rejoin the Dodgers on Thursday in Atlanta. Yasiel Puig (right oblique strain) will be in the Triple-A Oklahoma City lineup today and is expected to be activated for the Dodgers on Saturday in Atlanta.
In addition, Hyun-Jin Ryu (left groin strain) will be going on a rehab assignment by next week and will need four outings to build up to 90 pitches. When Ryu does return, he’ll add to what’s already a stacked rotation, with Walker Buehler expected to be recalled to start Wednesday’s series finale in Philadelphia and Julio Urías (shoulder surgery) on the mend. Ryu hasn’t pitched in a game since May 2.
Another nine for Maeda?
There was a brief lull in Kenta Maeda’s strikeout numbers upon his return from injury in June. That lull is now over.
In his last four starts, Maeda has struck out exactly nine batters every start. Maeda is one of only two pitchers in baseball history to strike out exactly nine batters in four straight starts — the other is his teammate Clayton Kershaw, who did it in 2014 (May 23-June 8).
Prior to the All-Star break, Maeda came out of the bullpen and struck out the only batter he’s faced. He’s averaging 11.22 strikeouts per nine innings this year, the best among all Dodger starters. Specifically as a starter, that number is 11.07, which also leads all Dodger starters and ranks third in the National League among all starters who’ve thrown at least 70 innings.
In addition to the high strikeout totals, in Maeda’s last nine starts since May 17, he holds a 4–2 record with a 1.97 ERA while limiting opponents to a .179 batting average.
He’s one of the many pitchers in the rotation thriving this month. Dodger starters enter Tuesday with a 9–2 record and 3.07 ERA in July.
