Dodgers News: Grandal Activated, Van Slyke To DL

It was announced by the Los Angeles Dodgers today that catcher Yasmani Grandal will be activated, and outfielder Scott Van Slyke (back) will be sent to the disabled list in order to make room for Grandal. The Dodgers have missed Grandal behind the plate for the first seven games of the season.

Based on the reports out from the media prior to today’s game, it sounds like Grandal will be behind the plate for the first time all season tomorrow night when the Dodgers continue their series with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Today, the man behind the plate is A.J. Ellis.

From J.P. Hoornstra, who is a beat writer for the Los Angeles News Group:

Scott Van Slyke (back) to the DL. Howie Kendrick and Yasmani Grandal activated.

— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) April 12, 2016

The injury to Van Slyke is certainly a worrying one, but it has made the rounds that Dave Roberts and the coaching staff might try to get Howie Kendrick some time in left field now that he’s back, and that type of move definitely makes a lot of sense for them. Kendrick has played some left field in his career.

With the Dodgers slated to play against two left-handed pitchers in this series against the Diamondbacks, Van Slyke’s right-handed power bat will certainly be missed, but the team will try to make up for that with Kendrick’s contact oriented swing and productivity, if possible.

The injuries have started to pile up for Los Angeles, and some are growing quite restless that this is going to be an ongoing thing all season long. There’s no way of knowing that, but for now Van Slyke is headed to the disabled list and the team is getting back a very valuable commodity in Grandal.