Zach McKinstry back with Dodgers after missing 6 weeks with strained right oblique

Zach McKinstry was activated off the injured list on Saturday after missing 33 games with a strained right oblique.

Like Cody Bellinger, who was also activated Saturday after missing 46 games with a fractured left fibula, McKinstry had to wait for his injury to fully heal before being cleared for baseball activities, spending most of May at the Dodgers facility at Camelback Ranch before joining Triple-A Oklahoma City for a minor league rehab assignment.

“A lot of guys say, ‘Once it feels 100 percent, even take a day, just to make sure that it is 100 percent,’ and just kind of take it slow,” McKinstry said in late April. “You don’t want it to really nag all year, so just take it slow and come back ready to go.”

McKinstry was 5-for-16 (.313/.421/.438) with two doubles and three walks with Oklahoma City. He played three different positions in five games with OKC, starting three times in left field and also playing second base and right field.

In the majors this year, McKinstry has started games in right field, left field, and second base, and also played three innings at third base. He’s also played shortstop and center field in the minors, and during major league games this spring training.

“Zach will be in left, will in right. He’ll be at second and third,” manager Dave Roberts said Friday. “Giving guys a day here and there, and for him to fill in, you trust the defense, trust the bat. He’s going to add to the depth of our roster.”

The Dodgers also missed McKinstry’s bat, with the rookie hitting .296/.328/.556 with five doubles in 17 games, starting 13 of the team’s first 18 games. At the time he was placed on the injured list, McKinstry was second on the team with three home runs and 14 RBI.