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As expected, Justin Turner was activated for Thursday’s series finale with the Brewers. The Dodgers placed infielder Chase Utley on the 10-day disabled list with left wrist inflammation to make room on the active roster for Turner.
Turner is an important part of what the Dodgers do on offense and he is hitting third in a lineup that will feature his bat, combined with Manny Machado and Brian Dozier for the first time.
Starting Lineups
| Pos | Brewers | Pos | Dodgers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Brewers | Pos | Dodgers |
| CF | Cain | LF | Pederson (L) |
| RF | Yelich (L) | SS | Machado |
| 1B | Aguilar | 3B | Turner |
| 2B | Schoop | C | Grandal (S) |
| LF | Braun | CF | Bellinger (L) |
| 3B | Shaw (L) | 2B | Dozier |
| C | Kratz | 1B | Muncy (L) |
| SS | Arcia | RF | Puig |
| P | Chacin | P | Kershaw (L) |
In 50 games this season, Turner is hitting just .259/.354/.398 with 13 extra-base hits. The Dodgers are 28-15 when Turner starts, 32-34 when he doesn’t. They went 5-5 on this recent trip to the DL.
“We’re happy to have Justin back doing his progressions and feeling good,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Obviously it adds length to our lineup.”
Though the last 10 games have been missed due to a stiff groin, the Dodgers are banking on the extra rest to benefit the other two injuries Turner has dealt with this season. The 33-year-old hasn’t been full strength at any point this season, missing the first 40 games with a fractured wrist and, more recently, a sore thumb.
Roberts said Turner will likely play in three of the four games heading into Monday’s off day, ending a string of 17 straight days with games for the Dodgers.
Utley was one of two potential Dodgers who could have been placed on the disabled list Thursday, though Roberts wouldn’t reveal the names before the move was announced, saying only that one was a position player and the other was a relief pitcher.
“We’re contemplating a couple of DL candidates, so we haven’t made the move yet,” Roberts said before the game.
It’s entirely possible the other yet unknown candidate could end up on the disabled list before the weekend series against Houston, when reliever John Axford will be activated. Acquired from the Blue Jays before Tuesday’s non-waiver trade deadline, Axford has three days to report to the team, which are up Friday.