Dodgers News: JD Martinez Returns to Lineup Following Injection

The Dodgers get a big slugger back to start the series with the Brewers at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday as J.D. Martinez returns to the starting lineup after missing a week with a lower body issue. Martinez last played two Sundays ago, going 1-5 against Rich Hill and the Padres. He missed the next 7 games after getting an epidural injection with the hopes of fixing his not well explained leg/groin area injury.

LA opted to not place Martinez on the injured list over this last stretch of games.

The veteran DH is hitting .260/.312/.558 with 25 home runs and 76 RBI in 88 games this season. He’s twice missed time with this mysterious injury and also spent time on the injured list earlier in the year with a back issue.

With Martinez back in there, Dave Roberts is running out his “A” lineup against the Milwaukee right-hander Adrian Houser. LA counters with rookie Bobby Miller who’s making his 14th start of the season.

Rookie Hurler Joins the Roster

Outside of JD, the Dodgers also called up rookie pitcher Gus Varland who has had quite an adventurous season so far. Originally drafted by the A’s in 2018, the Dodgers acquired the pitcher in a 2021 trade that sent two players back to Oakland. The club lost Varland to the Milwaukee Brewers in the Rule 5 draft this offseason where he eventually made his MLB debut earlier this year. However, he was returned to the Dodgers late in May after Milwaukee took him off of their active roster.

Tonight, he may make his Dodger debut against the Brewers.

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