Scott Van Slyke nearing rehab assignment

ANAHEIM -- Dodgers outfielder Scott Van Slyke is getting closer to a return to the team, currently working out at the club's facility at Camelback Ranch in Arizona in preparation for a minor league rehab assignment.

"I'm not sure what affiliate, but it will be a seven-day-ish rehab," manager Dave Roberts said on Wednesday.

The rehab assignment is slated to begin next week.

Van Slyke has been sidelined since the first week of the season with lower back tightness, having last played on April 9. He been one of the Dodgers' primary weapons against left-handed pitchers in recent years, a career .264/.371/.486 hitter against southpaws, with 16 home runs and 17 doubles in 348 plate appearances.

In 2016, Van Slyke is 1-for-9 with a double and a hit by pitch.

White flag

Down 8-1 after the sixth inning, the Dodgers mounted what amounted to their last real rally of the game, loading the bases with nobody out with the bottom of the order, with starter Nick Tropeano, a right-hander, on the ropes.

But with the left-handed Chase Utley due up, Roberts instead opted for the right-handed Kiké Hernandez (2 for his last 38) to pinch hit. The decision was made at the start of the inning.

"Down seven runs, we haven't scored eight runs since I can't remember when [Ed. note: the Dodgers scored eight runs on Friday against the Cardinals]. A guy that's playing every day, who's 37 years old, I didn't want him playing in a game that got away from us. At that point and time, I told him I'm going to give the at-bat to Kiké. As a player, when you hear that then mentally you check out," Roberts said. "It's a lot harder to gear back up to get a major league at-bat, and Kiké was ready to go."

Hernandez struck out and Justin Turner grounded into a double play to end the inning, with the Dodgers failing to score.

Expect a roster move

After using four relief pitchers to record the final 11 outs of the game, and with Mike Bolsinger's shortened outing, expect the Dodgers to make a roster move as early as Thursday, with Bolsinger the likely one optioned back to Triple-A. Roberts was vague on the details after the game.

"Right now we're going to get together tonight and discuss some options, and figure out what we need to do," Roberts said. "Looking at the status of the bullpen, what gives us the best chance tomorrow and in the near future."

Up next

The Dodgers conclude their Freeway Series against the Angels on Thursday night in Anaheim, with Ross Stripling on the mound. Roberts before Wednesday's game said the club would go back to five starters after this series, but downplayed any talk of competition between Stripling and Bolsinger for the final spot.

"We're just waiting to see how tonight plays out before we make that decision. Ross has done a lot of good things. He's continued to grow as a major league pitcher, and he's earned it," Roberts said. "After tonight we'll have a lot of clarity."

Jhoulys Chacin, acquired in a trade from the Braves on May 11, starts the series finale for the Halos. The right-hander allowed two runs in seven innings in his Angels debut on Saturday at Seattle, and on the season has a 4.81 ERA in six starts, with 31 strikeouts and eight walks in 33⅔ innings.