Jimmy Rollins, Yasmani Grandal Out In Dodgers Series Opener

UPDATE (Sept. 7, 10:15 p.m. PT): Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA reports the results on Jimmy Rollins’ finger:

X-Rays negative on Rollins' right index finger.

— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) September 8, 2015

It’s been a season full of injuries for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but they have managed to remain in first place for just about the entire season.

With roster expansion in September, the Dodgers are able to better sustain their injuries with reinforcements and have done so, winning 11 of their last 13 games. In that span, one Dodgers starter has been struggling and it could be due to a lingering injury. Catcher Yasmani Grandal is out of the starting lineup on Monday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim due to a sore shoulder that started bothering him in early August.

It appears Grandal’s injury has become more of an issue via Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA:

Grandal dealing with shoulder soreness again. Ellis will catch with a mixture of Austin Barnes, until Grandal is ready.

— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) September 7, 2015

Grandal is hitless in his last 33 at-bats, seeing his batting average drop from .280 to .253 in that timespan. While his defense hasn’t suffered behind the plate, his throws to second base have been off recently. Backup catcher A.J. Ellis is hitting .300 since August 1 and September call-up Austin Barnes hit .315 in Triple-A.

Also out of the starting lineup on Monday is shortstop Jimmy Rollins:

Jimmy Rollins will have x-Rays on his throwing hand. Jammed his hand. Not believed to be serious. Seager starts at SS.

— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) September 7, 2015

Rollins is expected to know more by Monday night, but it could be a welcome break for another struggling starter. The veteran shortstop has hit just .200 in his last 19 games after riding a bit of a hot streak in the second half of the season.

The Dodgers have built a comfortable lead that will allow them to heal their players in order for a run in the postseason.