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Justin Turner is back in the Dodgers lineup after getting activated from the injured list earlier Tuesday. He’s the designated hitter, a position he could occupy for a few days after missing 14 games with a left hamstring strain.
“Just seeing him back in there with us makes us considerably better,” manager Dave Roberts said on a conference call Tuesday. “I don’t know how many days we’re gonna run him out there as a DH, but I just could see for the next three or four, then hopefully we’ll get them back at their base as well soon.”
Dodgers-Padres lineups
| Pos | Dodgers | Pos | Padres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Dodgers | Pos | Padres |
| RF | Betts | CF | Grisham (L) |
| SS | Seager (L) | SS | Tatis Jr. |
| DH | Turner | 3B | Machado |
| C | Smith | 1B | Moreland (L) |
| 1B | Bellinger (L) | C | Nola |
| 2B | Taylor | RF | Myers |
| CF | Pollock | 2B | Cronenworth (L) |
| LF | Pederson (L) | LF | Profar (S) |
| 3B | Ríos (L) | DH | Garcia (L) |
Turner was 1-for-3 on Aug. 12 against Zach Davies, who is starting Tuesday night for San Diego. Turner’s 4-for-17 (.235) with a home run in his career against the right-hander.
This is Turner’s first game since Aug. 28.
“I’ve gone through a lot of tests and spent a long time in the training room trying to get ready, and I’m excited to be back out there tonight,” Turner said on a conference call.
Batting directly behind Turner in the lineup is catcher Will Smith, who has been one of the Dodgers’ best hitters this season. Smith is hitting .303/.432/.618 with six home runs in 27 games, including 12 for his last 23 (.522), with an extra-base hit in five of his last six games.
“As far as Will in the middle of the order, I think his at-bat quality has been consistent, the on-base, using the whole field,” Roberts said. “As we look out, to finish the season and into the postseason, I just want to count on the certainty of a quality at-bat.”
Roberts said Smith was originally slated to bat fifth in this one, but moved him up after decided on Tuesday as Max Muncy’s off day, which Roberts mentioned Monday as something that would come early this week. Since his last home run, hit on September 4, Muncy is 4-for-32 (.125) with 13 strikeouts, and eight walks.
This is the second time Smith has batted fourth in his career, and the first time since August 31, 2019 against Arizona.
Game info
Time: 6:10 p.m. PT
TV: SportsNet LA