Trayce Thompson, Ryan Pepiot, JD Martinez and More Dodgers Injury News
The Los Angeles Dodgers have faced a number of setbacks this season thanks to the injury bug, but the team is primed to continue to improve as players return from the injured list. And for a team that's already on a 6 game winning streak, it's about to get scary in the National League.
Some health updates dropped this week regarding several players currently on the IL, so here's the latest.
Outfielder Trayce Thompson has been missing from the bench over the last few games and Dave Roberts revealed on Wednesday that he's battling an illness and has been unavailable.
The expectation is he'll be back for the San Diego series.
Designated hitter J.D. Martinez, who suffered a lower back strain during the series in Chicago a little over a week ago, now may not return until the series in Milwaukee, which starts on Monday.
Starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot, who experienced an oblique strain during spring training, has started a throwing program but still has a long way to go before he can return to the mound for the Dodgers.
Some time in the middle of June is a reasonable target.
Walker Buehler, who is recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, is throwing at 150 feet and could be six weeks away from pitching off a mound for the first time since last July. The pitcher revealed in a podcast this week.
Other updates include Gavin Lux, who is off crutches and could start running by July. RHP Jimmy Nelson is attempting to come back from Tommy John surgery, but his return is less than certain as he continues to struggle with velocity and command on his fastball. He started a minor league rehab assignment more than a week ago and hasn't pitched since April 25th.
His last major league appearance was in June of 2021.
Despite the injuries, the Dodgers remain in first place in the National League West with a 19-13 record and should keep getting better as the season trudges along.
