A right adductor strain had kept Justin Turner out of the Dodgers’ starting lineup since July 11, though his return to his regular third base spot today didn’t last long. Turner had to leave today’s 11-2 win over the Brewers in the middle of the third inning due to right groin tightness. Talking to media (including the Orange County Register’s Bill Plunkett) after the game, Turner said that his injury “definitely didn’t get worse but wasn’t as good as I’d hoped.” A DL stint could potentially be in the cards, though Turner will first receive further examination from the team’s medical staff.
Turner already missed the first six weeks of the season due to a fractured wrist, and it’s fair to say that his performance has suffered due to these injuries. He is still delivering above-average (110 wRC+) production, though his .259/.354/.398 slash line is below his usual standards, particularly in the power department. If he does hit the DL, Los Angeles likely already has enough infield depth that they wouldn’t look for any more help at the deadline, especially since the Dodgers already made a big infield addition in Manny Machado. It might be interesting to monitor if Machado gets any time at the hot corner if Turner if out, though it’s more likely that Machado will simply remain at shortstop.
Some more injury updates from around baseball…
- That same Dodgers/Brewers game also saw Milwaukee southpaw Brent Suter leave after three innings due to a forearm strain. Manager Craig Counsell told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tom Haudricourt and other reporters that Suter would undergo an MRI, though Suter is expected to land on the disabled list. Suter had a brief DL stint earlier this month with tightness in that same forearm, so it isn’t surprising that the team would be cautious with such an injury even if the MRI doesn’t reveal anything serious. Milwaukee was already rumored to be looking for pitching at the deadline, and that search is likely to intensify with Suter out of action. Suter was rocked for six runs today to boost his season ERA to 4.80, though Suter has just a 1.64 BB/9 to go along with a 7.46 K/9 rate, and ERA predictors (such as a 4.04 xFIP) are generally more favorable about his performance.
- Yoenis Cespedes’ recent comments about considering surgery to fix calcification in his heels caught the Mets by surprise, assistant GM John Ricco told the New York Times’ James Wagner (Twitter links) and other reporters. Still, Ricco stressed that surgery would be Cespedes’ “last resort” to solve his ongoing leg problems, and that Cespedes’ comments could have been made out of simple frustration. The outfielder will visit doctors tomorrow, though Ricco said that an examination of Cespedes’ feet in June indicated that the injury could be managed without immediate need for surgery.
- Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier was placed on the seven-day concussion DL this weekend while playing at Triple-A, though his status has been changed to a 10-day stint on the Major League disabled list. (NJ.com’s Brendan Kuty was among those who had the news.) Beyond the specifics of his placement, Frazier’s injury could also impact his immediate future in the organization, as the prospect has often been cited as a popular trade chip for the Yankees at the deadline.
Concussions are tricky.He may never be the same. Ross for Frazier straight up is what it’s looking like now;)
Lol
lol is right. These Padres fans are back all over the other threads with this ridiculousness. Don’t worry they’ll be gone again after the deadline.
The logical move is to play Machado at third, while Turner is out. Of course, that idea would have to originate with Machado himself, who would need to be self-aware enough to figure out that he is a third baseman, not a shortstop.
So I doubt it will happen. But, if it does, it will up his value in free agency by a lot. A Machado content to play third for the rest of his career is whaaaay more valuable than a Machado who insists to play short.
Machado said he would play 3B for the Dodgers and Roberts said he would be playing some 3B but mostly SS I recall him saying.
Nice comment and 100% agree. No one is signing Machado to be a SS this offseason. May as well accept it.
Machado is a SS He was drafted very high as a SS And as such he will get paid very well as a SS this offseason. just because he’s been playing everyday the past few years at 3rd it isn’t his natural position
Bad news Fisher40. No one cares he was drafted as a SS. He will not get paid as a SS. He will get paid as 3bman. Just because he once was a shortstop does not mean he is not much better as a thirdbaseman. His being drafted as a SS when he was a teenager means nothing
He is a well below average defender at SS. He’s clearly outgrown it. At 3B, though, he is out of this world.
If he shows a willingness to move back to 3B, it will help boost his value.
Baloney. Defensive stats are mostly junk, especially if you’re going to extrapolate a few months into some kind of knowing. Try using your eyeballs. We’ve already seen him make three highlight reel plays at SS in only his first three games for LA. He’s going to be fine at that position. Further, it’s pretty clear that Roberts does not plan on moving Machado to 3B even if Turner’s absence is prolonged, at least not more than occasionally.
Bologna
-19 DRS, and -1.3 dWAR at short. If short is his natural position, he isn’t that great it it.
Doesn’t matter………
J.T. Realmuto was drafted as a SS……Marlins made him a Catcher, because his defensive metrics weren’t great…..but the Bat was definitely going to play…!!!
Jorge posada was drafted as a SS… so that argument is crap. I totally agree with you
Machado will play 3rd base if they need him to. His goal right now should be to maximize his payday and teams thinking he is a petulant diva who won’t do what is asked of him won’t help him there.
Dodgers have enough depth to slide machado or Muncy over and still have their infield filled with contenders. If anything they would add a second basemen as it has not had production, but Kike has been a good replacement there and Muncy and Utley can also get work in there. The Dodgers still need to focus on bullpen, preferably Miami’s or Baltimore’s bullpen options. I question whether they seek only one bullpen arm or multiple, or, if they seek multiple, whether they will pursue a lefty specialist.
Brent Suter***
Padres and Tigers in 2019….a 35 year World Series reunion.
Heard their having it at Hooters.