Dodgers News: Van Slyke Sprains Ankle, Removed From Game

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UPDATE (Aug. 27, 10:20 p.m.): According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, x-rays on Scott Van Slyke’s right ankle came back negative:

Van Slyke x-rays negative.

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— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 28, 2014

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With the Los Angeles Dodgers facing a left-hander in the form of Arizona Diamondbacks starter Wade Miley on Wednesday, Scott Van Slyke earned the start in left field ahead of Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier.

Another benefit of starting Van Slyke Wednesday is the success he’s had against Miley this season. Heading into Wednesday’s game, Van Slyke was hitting .667 with four home runs and a 2.727 OPS in 11 plate appearances against the left-hander.

Van Slyke continued his success by hitting a towering solo home run to left field in the third inning to extend the Dodgers lead to 3-0. However, Van Slyke’s night was cut short the following inning as he backed up Yasiel Puig on a sinking liner hit to center field.

Puig’s diving attempt came up short, and the ball bounced off his chest and ricocheted towards right field. As Van Slyke went to retrieve the ball, he turned his right ankle just as he went to pick up the ball with his bare hand.

Trainer Stan Conte and manager Don Mattingly immediately made their way to the outfield to tend to Van Slyke, who attempted to walk it off. However, he was removed from the game with a mild ankle sprain, the Dodgers later announced:

Scott Van Slyke left tonight's game with a mild right ankle sprain. He's listed as day to day.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 28, 2014

Carl Crawford, who battled his own ankle issue earlier in the year, replaced Van Slyke. Wednesday’s start was Van Slyke’s first since Aug. 22 and second in the Dodgers’ last five games.

While filling in at multiple positions for the Dodgers this season, Van Slyke has appeared in 80 games. Although the ankle sprain was diagnosed as mild, the Dodgers will likely decide to take a cautious approach with his recovery so as to have him at full strength in time for postseason play.
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