Injuries & Moves: Betts takes swings, getting 'stronger'

Injuries & Moves: Betts takes swings, getting 'stronger'

July 28th, 2024

LATEST NEWS

July 28: RHP claimed by Red Sox
Ramirez, who was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on July 25, will now head to the American League East after being claimed off waivers by the Red Sox. Ramirez struggled during his time with the Dodgers, posting a 5.52 ERA over 29 1/3 innings of relief.

July 27: 1B placed on Family Emergency List; C recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City
Freeman, who flew back to Los Angeles on July 26, was placed on the Family Emergency List as he tends to a family matter. There’s no timetable for Freeman’s return, but he will not play in Houston and his status for the two-game series against the Padres in San Diego is also up in the air.

Adding Feduccia to the active roster was the easier decision for the Dodgers, as they don’t have to clear a 40-man roster spot. Feduccia gives the Dodgers another left-handed bat off the bench in Freeman’s absence.

July 26: LHP traded to Red Sox in exchange for Minor League OF Moises Bolivar
Paxton, who was designated for assignment on July 22, was dealt to Boston for Bolivar, a 17-year-old outfield prospect still in the Dominican Summer League. The Dodgers had 10 days to trade Paxton after he was DFA'd.

• All Dodgers transactions

INJURY UPDATES

RHP/DH (elbow surgery)
Expected return: 2025 (as a pitcher)
Ohtani has been throwing ever since the team came back from Seoul, South Korea, in late March. On May 27, Ohtani said he has progressed to throwing from 60 feet out. He added that those throws have reached 80 mph in his last couple sessions. He is still not expected to see game action this season. (Last updated: May 28)

10-day/15-day injured list

SS (left hand fracture)
Expected return: August
Betts’ strength in his fractured left hand continues to get "stronger," according to manager Dave Roberts, a significantly good sign for the Dodgers’ superstar. Roberts said Betts has been taking swings off a tee as he continues his progression. While there’s still no definitive timetable for his return, Roberts is hopeful that Betts will return sooner rather than later. (Last updated: July 28)

RHP (right hip inflammation)
Expected return: Early to mid-August
Buehler made a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on July 26. He will make another start before the Dodgers make a decision on his next steps.

“He went four innings,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He ran out of gas after the fourth [inning]. He emptied the tank. So he’ll take another [start], hopefully get through the fifth and then we’ll see where that goes.” (Last updated: July 27)

RHP (right intercostal strain)
Expected return: Early to Mid-August
Grove missed a month and a half last season with a similar injury, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team viewed this as a "shorter-term" issue. However, Roberts said on July 27 that he doesn’t anticipate Grove returning anytime soon.

Grove has primarily worked in long relief for L.A. this season and twice served as an opener. (Last updated: July 27)

UTIL (left groin strain)
Expected return: August
Taylor left the July 24 game against the Giants in the bottom of the seventh inning after he felt discomfort in his left groin as he stretched out a double. As soon as Taylor rounded first, the utilityman said he could feel something grab. Taylor underwent an MRI on July 25, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. (Last updated: July 25)

SS (right forearm tightness)
Expected return: Sometime in August
Rojas, who left the July 21 game against the Red Sox after experiencing discomfort in his throwing arm, will now be sidelined for a few weeks as further testing diagnosed a right flexor strain for the veteran shortstop. Rojas will be shut down from throwing “for a bit” according to manager Dave Roberts. (Last updated: July 24)

60-day IL

RHP (right triceps tightness)
Expected return: Late in the season
Yamamoto has been playing catch, extending it to 200 feet during the team’s last homestand. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Yamamoto will throw his first bullpen session since landing on the injured list on Aug. 2 while the team is in Oakland. Over the next month, the Dodgers are optimistic Yamamoto won’t have any setbacks which should allow him to return at some point this season. Yamamoto said his “goal” is to be ready to help the Dodgers down the stretch. (Last updated: July 28)

3B (right oblique strain)
Expected return: Mid-to-late August at the earliest
Muncy has been taking ground balls and running around the bases, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the third baseman’s rehab has been “stagnant” and there’s still no real timetable for his return.

With two months left in the season, Roberts wasn’t ready to say Muncy was going to be forced to miss most, if not all, of the remainder of the regular season, but added that the calendar is starting to play against Muncy. (Last updated: July 28)

RHP (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: Early to mid-August
Graterol had his best rehab outing to date on July 27, striking out the side in a clean inning of work. It was also the first time Graterol went back to back in his rehab assignment, a box he needed to clear during his stint in Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The Dodgers will likely give Graterol a couple more rehab outings before he’s ready to return, but they’re getting closer to getting their flamethrowing setup man on the active roster for the first time this season. (Last updated: July 28)

RHP (calf strain)
Expected return: Early to mid-August
Brasier took the first step forward in his rehab assignment, striking out two over a scoreless inning of work with Triple-A Oklahoma City on July 27. The right-hander will need at least a couple more outings before being ready to rejoin the Dodgers' bullpen. (Last updated: July 28)

RHP (right flexor tendon surgery; esophagus)
Expected return: 2025
May underwent surgery to repair his esophagus and stomach on July 10 after reporting pain in those areas after dinner that day.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on July 14 that he “was shocked” by the news, noting May was in Arizona.

“Soreness of the throat and the stomach, and goes to the ER and gets surgery.” said Roberts. “He gets surgery, and he’s done for the year. Obviously, him coming back, if everything was great, was still a longer shot. But how his season ended is very unfortunate. I’m just glad he’s OK.”

May underwent right elbow surgery performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles to repair his flexor tendon July 18, 2023. It was his second major elbow surgery in the past three seasons, and the Dodgers placed him on the 60-day injured list to begin the 2024 season. Read more >> (Last updated: July 14)

RHP (right plantar fasciitis)
Expected return: TBD
Brogdon, who was acquired from the Phillies in April, went on the injured list for the first time this season. The right-hander gave up a pair of solo home runs in his one appearance with the Dodgers. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on May 19. (Last updated: May 19)

RHP (right forearm inflammation)
Expected return: 2025
Sheehan suffered an injury in his first bullpen session of the spring and never got into Cactus League action. The right-hander had started throwing to hitters for the first time, but on May 16 the Dodgers announced that he had undergone successful surgery on his right elbow that would end his 2024 season. (Last updated: May 16)

RHP (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2024
Gonsolin had Tommy John surgery on Sept. 1, performed by team doctor Neal ElAttrache. He was placed on the injured list Aug. 19 with what was diagnosed as right forearm inflammation. Gonsolin also was placed on the IL late in the 2022 season with a right forearm strain. He started the '23 campaign on the IL with a left ankle sprain and was 8-5 with a 4.98 ERA in 20 starts.

Gonsolin had been dealing with arm soreness for an extended period before he went on the IL. The Dodgers placed Gonsolin on the 60-day injured list on Feb. 9. (Last updated: Feb. 9)

• More injury news