Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Justin Turner Provides A Spark During Uribe’s Absence

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While the regular season approaches the halfway mark, the Los Angeles Dodgers have experienced multiple injuries that have forced manager Don Mattingly to make some early roster adjustments.

With Dodgers everyday third baseman Juan Uribe being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained hamstring on May 8, utility player Justin Turner has taken on the hot corner duties for the time being.



According to Michael Lananna of MLB.com, Turner is eager to take on his bigger role:

I feel good. I feel comfortable,” Turner said. “It’s always nice to have a consistent number of ABs every day. It’s a little bit different mindset going in when you know you’re going to get four or five at-bats, as opposed to you might only get one.”

Turner, a former seventh-round draft pick out of Cal State Fullerton, has posted a .300 batting average with five doubles, two homeruns while knocking in six RBIs during the month of May.

With the outfield circus continuing to spiral after Carl Crawford was placed on the 15-day disabled list and Matt Kemp making the transition to left field , Turner’s solid play has left Mattingly with no worries in the infield.

He’s had some big hits for us,” manager Don Mattingly said. “He’s been solid at third. I think we just have to be careful with him playing too many days in a row. So we’ll be careful with that, but he’s been good.”

Despite Turner’s positive production, the Dodgers look to turn around their play after boasting a 10-11 record since May 8. The Dodgers started June with a 5-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, but followed up with a 5-2 Clayton Kershaw-induced win against the Chicago White Sox.

Turner was the main offensive run producer for the team in the Monday night loss against the White Sox, where he was 2-for-3 with a walk, single and homerun with two RBIs.

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Dodgers Update: Matt Kemp Benched, Carl Crawford Injured


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5 Comments

  1. Yes, Turner has surprised me. When he batted with the Mets and other teams, he seemed to be just going thru the motions and cared less if he got a hit or not. But he sees himself as a long-term fill-in and accepts that role seriously. He will probably continue to be Uribe’s spare whenever he needs a rest.

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