Dodgers Quick Hits: Kershaw, Turner, Santana, Roberts

According to Andy McCullough of the LA Times, Clayton Kershaw was playing catch at 120 feet on Thursday, May 17th. This is great progress as just a week ago it was announced the superstar lefty would be sidelined with right bicep tendonitis. Kershaw’s absence is being felt in a big way by the Dodgers who are already scuffling for wins just 43 games into the season. There is still no timetable for Kershaw’s return but given his current rehab status, a comeback should not be too far off.

Other notes…

• Justin Turner made his return to the Dodgers’ lineup on Tuesday in Miami. Turner said prior to the game that, “it feels like Opening Day and I am just as excited to start this season as any before it.” Turner was not the only one excited about his return to the diamond after suffering a broken wrist in the last week of spring as his teammates were just as delighted to see there All-Star third baseman in the lineup for the first time in 2018. In his first three games of the season, Turner has collected six base hits, two of them for extra bases, and has driven in five runs all of which were done in Thursday’s series finale against the Marlins. Turner has had an immediate effect on the team and if he can continue his hot start in Washington, the Dodgers should have some confidence going into what will be a very difficult series.

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• The Dodgers promoted right-handed pitching prospect, Dennis Santana, to Triple-A on Tuesday in what was an extremely well-deserved promotion. In his first eight games of the season, Santana has worked with 2.56 ERA and a minuscule 1.03 WHIP. Those eight games have afforded him 38.2 innings pitched in that frame, Santana has struck out an absurd 51 batters. At just 22-years old and on a very strict inning limit this year, Santana would have to be unreal in Triple-A to warrant a promotion anytime before September. But, due to the Rule-5 protection regulations, Santana is on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster and if need be, he is available for promotion. The Texas League strikeout leader is well worth watching now that he is at the minor leagues’ highest level.

• After a 17-26 start to the 2018 seasons, many of the team’s fans have been calling for manager, Dave Roberts, to lose his job. But, over the past week, front office members Farhan Zaidi and Andrew Friedman have spoken passionately about Roberts being there to stay despite his team’s slow start to the seasons. In two years with the Dodgers prior to 2018, Roberts has a managerial record of .601, the highest in all of baseball in that time frame, and won the 2016 Manager of the Year award. Firing Roberts right now is not the solution to the team’s woes, but, should the problem persist and the Dodgers finish the season buried deep in the standings, the idea may resurface and perhaps, more reasonably so.

Next: Dodgers Look to Keep Their Offense Going in Washington