The Dodgers have placed third baseman Justin Turner on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to July 30, with an abdominal strain. Turner hasn’t played for an extended stretch as he’s nursed the injury, with the Dodgers turning to Max Muncy at the hot corner of late.
Turner, 37, got off to a slow start to the season but has turned things on of late. He raked at a .400/.485/.545 clip last month, drawing eight walks against just nine strikeouts through 66 trips to the plate. That’s pushed his season line up to .257/.332/.405 across 355 plate appearances, offense that checks in ten points above league average by measure of wRC+. That’s still the worst mark Turner’s posted since his 2014 breakout, but he’s again looked like a valuable bat for L.A. even as he’s entered his late-30’s.
Of course, the Dodgers can afford to be patient with Turner’s recovery. They enter play Tuesday with a massive 12-game cushion in the NL West, setting them up to ease the workload of some of their veterans as they look ahead towards the postseason. The Dodgers are also slated to get a look at top third base prospect Miguel Vargas, who’s up from Triple-A Oklahoma City for the first time.
Well time for Vargas to put on a show!
Let’s go Jason!
Dodgers looking awfully thin these days
Nah they looking good
They have the best record in baseball, but keep telling yourself that.
Late 30s. No apostrophe.
He used a hyphen. He didn’t use an apostrophe.
Which is also incorrect, and look again, the apostrophe is very much there. An apostrophe is used for contractions or possessives.
Gallo should give 3rd a shot since he’s already familiar with the number 3 in plate appearances.
Really forced this one
Cut me some slack Brewers respector, I pulled a muscle on this reach 🙂
They can’t get comfortable. Dodgers are 12 games ahead but also have exactly 12 games against the Fried-Farm Friars. The division isn’t locked until they dismantle the Padres for 9 of those games.
If the Dodgers stay at their current pace, the Padres would need to go 50-7 just to tie.
Thanks! Someone with actual important information
50-7 just to tie. I should’ve said dismantle the Padres in those 12 games *so they don’t even get a wild card spot.
It’ll be an exciting race to the finish between both teams. The Padres will have to earn every inning against the Dodgers. The bullpen is getting closer to full strength. That will be huge down the stretch.
JT has had another slow start but his track record shows this isn’t an anomaly. He usually hits better toward the end of the season and his bat and defense have been big part of the Dodgers postseason success.
Do the Dodgers pick up Turner’s $16M option for 2023 or the $2M buyout?
Since we’re guessing, I’ll go with 2 million buyout plus one year 9 million contract.
buyout and he’d have to take a paycut if they took him back. He’ll be 38 next season but his exit velo, and advanced stats are decent enough that someone will probably offer him much more than LA will. He’s 10% better than average according to fanraphs but that’s a bench or utility player for LA. and at his age he can’t play more than DH, 3B, and 1B. but he’s feilding stats are decent this year. I think they let him and Muncy walk and play Chris Taylor and Lux more in the infield next year.
Dodgers and Padres fans are really lucky to have their current owners and front offices. I’d Include Braves, Cards, and Mets in the lucky NL category as well but the Dodgers and Padre fans should appreciate those farm systems, willingness to sign big guys and make big trades. Last year with Scherzer, Turner and this year with Soto, Bell.
That race just got exciting and contains some of the best hitting and pitching stars in baseball.
RIP Vin Scully
The greatest to ever do it. Made growing up a baseball fan in southern california an amazing experience. No one saw the game like him.
Forgive me but I didn’t see a proper post yet: Rip to an all-time great broadcaster, Southern California legend and classy gentleman in Vin Scully. Your voice and charisma were cherished and you will be missed. Condolences to his friends and family. From the Friars down south, peace to Dodger Blue tonight.
Don’t think that’s the correct BR page for Vargas.
STL prospect OF Miguel Vargas
The LAD 3B Miguel Vargas looks impressive. He can run too.