Dodgers News: Dave Roberts ‘Hoping’ JD Martinez Avoids Injured List, Decision to Be Made Friday
Dodgers designated hitter J.D. Martinez has been out of the lineup for the last three games with a back issue. Martinez missed the entire series against the Pirates, and hasn’t even swung a bat the last three days, according to manager Dave Roberts. However, before Thursday’s game, Roberts said he was hoping Martinez would be able to avoid a stint on the injured list.
“He hasn’t swung a bat in three days,” Roberts said. “It’s certainly been a little bit longer than we’ve already expected. Hoping that an IL is not a possibility.”
Via SNLA
Is Roberts concerned about Martinez not being able to swing?
“Yeah, yeah,” Roberts said, “because he’s a guy that really swings a lot. And for him to not be able to feel like he can do that is certainly telling.”
Via SNLA
After the game, Roberts provided another update on Martinez, saying the team will decide on Friday whether or not he will be placed on the injured list. If he does land on the injured list, however, that could lead to a slightly earlier return for Dodgers catcher Will Smith. Roberts said “there’s a chance” Smith could DH on Friday if Martinez is ultimately placed on the IL.
Martinez to the Injured List?
The way Roberts is talking about Martinez, it sure does sound like an IL stint is coming. He does sound concerned about Martinez’s back, and the fact that he hasn’t swung a bat in three days is pretty telling.
There’s no point in the Dodgers keeping Martinez off the IL if they don’t think he’s going to be able to play for another few days. So, they’re better off sending him to the IL and getting him back fully healthy in a week or so. And if Smith is able to DH on Friday, that’ll be a nice boost to the Dodgers lineup.
We’ll continue to update you on this story as soon as we know more, but it sounds like the big update will be coming tomorrow ahead of the Dodgers’ series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium — and I don’t expect it to be good news for Martinez and the Dodgers.
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