Adrian Gonzalez vows to play Friday with neck strain

Adrian Gonzalez has definitely had birthdays. The Dodgers first baseman turned 31 on Wednesday, but aggravated his strained neck during Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium, and left the game prior to the top of the fifth inning.

Gonzalez is listed as day-to-day, and manager Don Mattingly was just hoping to avoid adding a 10th player to the current disabled list.

"It didn't look too good when he came out. It sounds like he aggravated that neck pretty good. It' what we were afraid of in San Francisco, of him aggravating that with a dive," Mattingly said. "I'm not sure it's going to be good, but I'm hoping it's not going to be anything long term."

The good news for Gonzalez is that while he was in the game he did go 1-for-2 with an RBI double which at the time gave the Dodgers a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning. It extended his hitting streak to seven games, during which time Gonzalez is hitting .364 (8-for-22).

Gonzalez leads the Dodgers in batting average (.343), hits (37), doubles (eight), RBI (23), on-base percentage (.398), slugging percentage (.500) and OPS (.898). Since joining the Dodgers last Aug. 25, Gonzalez has played in 67 of a possible 69 games, including 66 starts at first base.

After the game, Gonzalez didn't have much time to speak with reporters, but offered a brief health update.

"I'll be ready to go Friday," he said.

The Dodgers are off on Thursday, but host the Marlins for a three-game series beginning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.