Scott Van Slyke still battling wrist inflammation, unlikely for NLDS roster

LOS ANGELES -- Scott Van Slyke continues to battle inflammation in his right wrist, and appears unlikely to make the Dodgers' roster for the National League Division Series against the Mets.

Manager Don Mattingly said that Van Slyke tried to take batting practice in the cage during Tuesday's workout at Dodger Stadium, but is still feeling the effects of the injury.

"It didn't go as well as I would have liked," Mattingly said. "It's better than where he was, but still not where we need to be."

Van Slyke missed the final five games of the season with the injury, and finished the season in a 5-for-36 slump, with a home run and two walks during that span.

"He got to working, and felt better, but still has some restrictions," Mattingly said. "That kind of helped us answer some questions."

Those questions have to do with the NLDS roster, which is due by 7 a.m. PT on Friday morning but will likely be announced by the Dodgers by Thursday. The Dodgers will hold workouts at Dodger Stadium on both Wednesday and Thursday as well.

"Some guys that that still have some physical question marks, we want to see how they look today and tomorrow," said general manager Farhan Zaidi. "I think that will help inform our final decisions."

Van Slyke has been a key weapon for the Dodgers against left-handed pitching the last three years, hitting .265/.370/.488 in his career against southpaws. He started 32 of 44 games against left-handed pitchers this season, with injuries preventing the other 12 starts.

Van Slyke, who also missed 17 games on the disabled list in June with back problems, hit just .239/.317/.383 with six home runs in 253 plate appearances in 2015, including .258/.386/.398 with three homers in 114 PA against left-handed pitchers.

Justin Ruggiano filled the lefty masher role quite nicely, hitting .291/.350/.618 with nine extra-base hits in 60 plate appearances overall in September with the Dodgers, including .333/.388/.667 in 49 PA against left-handed pitching.

There is also the return of Yasiel Puig after missing 34 games with a strained right hamstring, and his potential role on the NLDS roster, but more on that later.

Steven Matz is the Mets' only left-handed starting pitcher, and threw a successful bullpen session on Tuesday in preparation for a possible Game 4 start, per Adam Rubin of ESPN. But whether the Mets start Matz or Bartolo Colon in Game 4, the Dodgers plan to have right-handed hitters on hand to face southpaws.

"Our mix of guys is pretty balanced as it is so I don't think we would skew it that far because you always have matchups later in the game. Our objective is to have good balance both ways," Zaidi explained. "We're okay with facing a right-handed heavy staff, but certainly we want to be prepared for later game matchups."