Justin Turner returns to Dodgers lineup after missing 2 games with hand contusion

For the first time since Friday, Justin Turner is back in the Dodgers’ starting lineup after missing two games with a right hand contusion. Turner is in his usual third spot in the batting order in Tuesday night’s series opener against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

Turner was a late scratch on Saturday with the right hand contusion, and he was held out of Sunday’s game as well.

It was the first time Turner missed a game since June 28, and the first time all season he has missed two games in a row. After microfracture surgery to repair damage in his left knee, the third baseman has been quite durable this season, playing in 110 of 117 games, including 100 starts.

The only other time Turner didn’t start for two straight games in 2016 was April 23-24.

Turner is hitting .274/.341/.501 this season, already setting career highs in home runs (21), RBI (67), runs scored (56) and total bases (201). He is also close to several other personal bests in 2016, three hits, four doubles and four walks away from tying those marks.

He also has a hit in 11 straight starts, dating back to July 30, hitting .326 (15-for-46) with seven doubles and three home runs in those games.

Included in that surge was 2-for-3 and a home run last Tuesday at Dodger Stadium against Vince Velasquez, who starts the series opener for the Phillies tonight, one week later.

Turner on the season is hitting .305/.381/.574 away from home, with 12 of his 21 home runs and 17 of his 26 doubles hit while wearing the road grays.