Dodgers likely to get reinforcements back in San Diego next week

Boy, I feel like I literally just wrote an article a few weeks ago about the Dodgers getting their reinforcements back. Oh wait, it’s because I did.

After somewhat fielding a healthy roster last week, the Dodgers dealt with more injuries as they added Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger to an Injured List that featured 2020 World Series MVP Corey Seager.

Well, it looks like all three are expected to return somewhat soon, with two players expected to potentially return for the Padres series next week.

When speaking with the media on Friday, Dave Roberts provided updates for three of LA’s most valuable pieces. He said that Seager and Muncy took batting practice with the team and Bellinger did a run-through on his own.

Roberts said that Seager has checked all the boxes. He said they’re going to continue to let him do simulated work, and will likely send him off on a rehab assignment early next week. The team is going to let him and the hitting guys figure out where he’s at timing wise and determine when to send him out. The plan appears to be about a week of rehab games for Seager. If he ends up going out early next week, there’s a solid chance he returns to the Dodgers before July.

Muncy has missed the last week with an oblique injury, but he’s trending in the right direction. As Roberts mentioned, he took batting practice with the team in Arizona. Roberts said that he’s hoping for the second or third day in next weeks Padres series for a potential activation. He won’t need to go on a rehab assignment.

Finally with Bellinger, he is also potentially expected to join LA next week in San Diego.

“Wednesday he [ran] at 100 percent,” Roberts said. “Yesterday was a recovery day and he responded very well. That was one marker, the recovery part was another. Just in the days coming, make sure he keeps the strength in the hamstring. When it’s not right, there’s a strength fatigue. When it is right, there isn’t that kind of fatigue. Now it’s just taking at bats. I expect him to be ready in that San Diego series.”

That is certainly good news, as hamstring injuries can be tricky and keep players out for multiple weeks. Looks like Bellinger will only miss his 10 days.

The three valuable bats weren’t the only names Roberts discussed. Scott Alexander threw a scoreless inning for the Quakes on Friday. The plan is for him to get a couple days off now. The 31-year-old has been out since May 6 with left shoulder inflammation. The plan is still for him to return to the team in early July.

Finally, Roberts spoke about Brusdar Graterol, who is currently with the OKC squad. Graterol was activated off the IL, but has spent the last few weeks in AAA.

“He’s doing okay,” Roberts said. “The velocity is good. The outings have been up and down. Trying to manage that slider, command it and shorten it. He’s doing okay, just needs to continue to get better. We’re watching him every outing.”

Graterol has pitched in seven games for OKC this season. He’s allowed five runs in 6 ¹⁄₃ innings to go along with six strikeouts.