Injury Updates: Taylor, Hernández return; Negrón to IL; Hill progressing
by Rowan Kavner
For the first time in August, Kiké Hernández and Chris Taylor are in the lineup as the Dodgers welcome the Blue Jays in a week of American League East action.
The Dodgers activated the versatile utility players in a busy day of transactions Tuesday afternoon that included Kristopher Negrón, who’s filled the utility role with Hernández and Taylor out, being placed on the 10-day injured list with neck stiffness. In addition, right-handed pitcher Dylan Floro was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City, while right-hander Casey Sadler and outfielder Kyle Garlick were optioned to Triple-A.
Taylor was placed on the injured list July 15 with a left forearm fracture at a time when he was gaining steam. From June 18 until July 14, Taylor’s .370 batting average and 1.073 OPS led all Dodger players. Overall, Taylor is hitting .261 with eight home runs.
Hernández was also in a groove prior to his injury, posting a team-best .352 batting average and .991 OPS in 18 July games before injuring his left hand on a swing July 24. Overall, he has a .238 batting average with 16 home runs.
Negrón joined the Dodgers on July 28 from Seattle and went on to his .268 with two home runs in 15 games.
“The versatility that these guys present is something you’re going to see going forward,” said manager Dave Roberts. “It’s just a luxury we have with our roster.”
Floro has appeared in 38 games for the Dodgers, going 4–3 with a 4.00 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 36 innings. Roberts said Sadler, who has allowed one earned run in 12 1/3 innings for the Dodgers, will return at some point.
Hill Makes Progress
Roberts said injured starter Rich Hill (left forearm strain) threw out to 150 feet Tuesday with success.
“Just the way the ball was coming out, the way he threw the baseball, I didn’t see anything that would’ve shown any signs that he was on the IL,” Roberts said. “It was coming out really well.”
A bullpen session is the likely next progression for Hill, who has been on the injured list since June 20.
Quick Hits
- Alex Verdugo is recovering in Arizona but has not started baseball activities there yet as he still deals with pain in his oblique. Roberts said Sept. 1 will be the earliest he could return.
- Clayton Kershaw enters Tuesday’s start tied with Sandy Koufax for fifth on the Dodgers’ all-time wins list with 165 career victories. A win Tuesday would make him the winningest lefty in Dodger history.
- Toronto is making its first trip to Los Angeles since 2007. The Dodgers welcome the Yankees this weekend.
