Dodgers Way Quick Hits: Kershaw Free Agency, Cingrani, Utley, Turner

The Dodgers lost their first series since mid-May on Wednesday, June 20. The news from that day is well worth noting.

Tony Cingrani started the year off as one of the most dominant relief pitchers in the game. When the team struggled, he did not. Dave Roberts was using the southpaw as a setup man, pitching him in the eighth inning to help shut the door on the opposition. But, when Cingrani began to experience shoulder pain, his season that had started off so well, everything came to a screeching halt. The mystery injury was originally diagnosed as dead arm but now that the symptoms have persisted, it is anyone’s guess as to what is really going on. According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Cingrani felt a pop in his shoulder and his rehab has been totally shut down. Cingrani’s numbers this year have not been great as a whole but the 28-year old lefty has shown streaks of brilliance and has owned a FIP of 2.11, far better than his 4.84 ERA. In the meantime though, Cingrani’s return to the Dodgers seems to be far off.

Other notes…

• Unlike his teammate, Tony Cingrani, Chase Utley is healthy and ready to play. The Dodgers will activate him from the disabled list on Friday morning, prior to the start of the series with the New York Mets. Utley has been decent for Los Angeles in 2018, hitting just .216 with one home run and 14 RBIs. With a WAR of zero, the veteran second baseman’s overall contributions to the team are minimal. Utley will take Kyle Farmer’s roster spot upon joining the team.

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• Justin Turner came back from his wrist injury on May 15 and the world was expecting him to be a game changer right out of the gate. Unfortunately, to this point, one of the game’s best hitters has not looked quite like himself. In 28 games and 97 at-bats, Turner has hit just .247 with two home runs and a measly 11 RBIs. For Turner, his swing has not been the same this year and it almost certainly has to do with his late start on the year and badly hurt wrist from spring training. For those who are concerned about Turner’s production thus far, while the numbers are down, you need not worry. Turner does have an OPS+ of 101, sitting just above league average. His defense has also looked outstanding since coming off the DL and there is really nothing to suggest that his offense will not come soon.

Next: Dodgers: Improvements That Can Take the Team to its Full Potential

• Chris Taylor was removed from the final game against the Cubs with hamstring tightness according to the media release during the game. Dave Roberts told the media after the game that the injury would not require any further testing and the centerfielder turned shortstop should be just fine and back on the field in the coming days.