Dodgers News: Roberts Updates Grandals’, Kendrick’s Opening Day Status

Yesterday it was reported that catcher Yasmani Grandal could possibly be ready for the season opener in San Diego. Now, according to manager Dave Roberts, it sounds like Grandal will be ready for opening day. This is definitely big news as far as the Dodgers are concerned, and fans should be excited.

There’s no telling what Grandal will be like early on during the season, but even just having him back for the beginning of the season is a huge boost to the team’s chances. Grandal was exceptional prior to his shoulder injury last season, so hopefully this forearm injury gets put behind him quickly.

From Ken Gurnick, beat writer for MLB dot com:

Grandal should be ready for Opening Day, Roberts said.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 29, 2016

Grandal’s news wasn’t the only type of injury update that came out today. Also dealing with his own ailment, second baseman Howie Kendrick was said to be “likely” out for the opening day tilt against the Padres. There’s no word on when he’ll be back, but it shouldn’t be a downer for anyone yet.

From Andy McCullough, writer for the Los Angeles Times:

Sounds like Yasmani Grandal may be ready for Opening Day, but Howie Kendrick likely won't.

— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) March 29, 2016

Howie Kendrick, according to Ken Gurnick, will remain in Arizona through the Freeway Series. It’s mostly to get him some at-bats at the minor league level in order for him to begin his rehabilitation. Kendrick could possibly be back with the team sometime by the second week of April.

As far as Grandal is concerned, he is expected to join the Dodgers in Anaheim on Saturday as they take on the Angels in the final spring training series prior to the regular season starting. At the least, it sounds like Yasmani Grandal will be ready for the start of the season while Howie Kendrick is shortly behind him.