Dodgers News: Logan Forsythe’s Return Opens Up Possibilities

After over a month on the shelf, Logan Forsythe is back.

Forsythe was activated Tuesday and started at third base against St. Louis. He was sidelined with a broken toe, expecting to only miss two weeks before hamstring tightness knocked him out longer.

Forsythe says his toe feels great, his hamstring feels great and he's just happy to be back after missing 30 games. https://t.co/G3BzZyHG56

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) May 24, 2017

“I’m just happy to be back,” Forsythe said. “The toe thing was unfortunate, but it’s out of your control. It’s part of the game, but it’s tough because you work hard to stay on the field.”

Forsythe was finding his groove before the DL stint, hitting .295 and raising his on-base percentage by over .100. With Justin Turner out, Forsythe will operate mostly at third, but his presence allows for more imagination.

Chris Taylor, who made the most of his playing time in Forsythe’s absence, initially looked to be the odd-man out with Forsythe’s return. Turner’s injury opened up at-bats, and now it appears Taylor will play in the outfield. That’s good news for the suddenly productive Chase Utley, who logically would’ve fallen victim to Taylor’s performance and Forsythe’s return.

Austin Barnes was fielding ground balls at second base Tuesday. The team needs to option somebody to make room for Kenta Maeda Thursday, and Barnes’ test run there may provide a hint of the team’s plans.

When Turner returns, Forsythe will shift back to second. Taylor and Utley will jockey for at-bats, but L.A. has gotten a head start on that issue in expanding Taylor’s responsibilities to the outfield.