Cody Snavely
Glasnow injury update
Prior to yesterday’s 3-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave an update on right-handed pitcher Tyler Glasnow, and it was not the best news.
On the Dodgers’ last road trip, the team decided to place Glasnow on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow tendonitis, which, at face value, has an estimated recovery time of six to eight weeks.
However, at the time, Roberts was optimistic about the injury, stating that Glasnow felt fine physically and pleaded to start against the St. Louis Cardinals, but the team opted to rest him with a bigger picture for October in mind.
Roberts was confident that it would not be a lengthy stint on the injured list, alluding that the originally fifteen days would be enough for him to return to the Dodgers’ starting rotation.
However, yesterday’s Roberts confirmed that the injury was a lot more complex than initially thought and that the next few days will be telling of when the team should expect Glasnow to return while also suggesting a rehab stint might be needed due to the time missed.
When asked by the media whether Glasnow would be built up enough for October, he had this to say:
I think that the coming days will be telling so I don’t think anyone can sit here today and say that, because if you played catch today and went great, and he does the same thing, yes, but if he doesn’t, then it’s probably a different answer.
Glasnow was having one of the best seasons of his career in his first season under Dodger Blue, going 9-6 with a 3.49 ERA, 2.90 FIP, and a 32.2 K% in a career-high one hundred thirty-four innings pitched this season and for the Dodgers to succeed in October, they’ll need him to come back healthy.
Freeman out of lineup with lingering finger injury
It was a rare off day for Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, who was absent from yesterday’s series opener against the Baltimore Orioles. The lefty was given extra rest to nurse a hairline fracture in his middle finger on his right hand.
Since the injury, Freeman has gone 3-for-23 (.130) in six games. With the team in the midst of a tight division playoff race, they still want their players to be healthy for October, which is just over five weeks away.
Dave Roberts said that the Dodgers are giving Freddie Freeman a chance to get his finger to “calm down.” despite speculation of a possible injured list stint, there are no discussions of that right now.
It remains to be seen whether the Dodgers will have Freeman in the lineup for the second game of the three-game series against the Orioles. With the division lead down to only three games over the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres, they need him.
Heyward signs with Houston Astros
Last Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers made the tough decision to designate veteran right fielder Jason Heyward for assignment to make room for Chris Taylor‘s activation on the 26-man roster.
Heyward, 35, re-signed with the Dodgers this past offseason after having a career resurgence in a platoon role last season, hitting .269/.340/.473 with a .813 OPS.
Heyward was initially going to be the Dodgers’ primary right fielder, with Betts shifting to a full-time middle infielder. However, after spending time on the 15-day injured list, the Dodgers decided Betts playing right field full-time gives them the best opportunity to win now.
However, it became increasingly hard to give Heyward playing time as the lefty was hitting a measly .208/.289/.393 and a 91 wRC+ this season. With the acquisition of Kevin Kiermaier, the role of lefty platoon outfielder went to him due to his above-average play since coming to Los Angeles.
Heyward, 36, was officially released by the Dodgers just two days later, on August 24th, and has quickly found a new home in the American League with the Houston Astros.
Since Heyward was signed before September 1st, he will remain postseason-eligible. Since the lefty cleared waivers, the Astros will only have to sign Heyward for the league minimum of $750K, with the Dodgers on the hook for the remaining salary of the one-year $9 million deal.
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