Dodgers: Russell Martin place on injured list, Rocky Gale recalled

Just two days after placing Hyun-Jin Ryu on the injured list, the Dodgers will grow one man shorter. Catcher Russell Martin has been placed on the IL with lower back inflammation. Rocky Gale will replace him.

The Dodgers are amidst their first slow stretch of the season. Having lost back to back games largely due to lackluster hitting, the team could ill-afford another injury (Ryu groin strain was the first).

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But, in a move that came with zero warning, Martin was placed on the shelf with a back injury. Not much contest other than that was provided.

Martin was acquired by the Dodgers in a trade with the Blue Jays this past offseason after the team parted ways with Yasmani Grandal and determined that both Will Smith, Keibert Ruiz and other external options were not feasible choices to join Austin Barnes in a shared role behind the dish.

The 36-year-old Martin came to LA for his second stint with the team and thus far in 2019, he has done nothing but impress.

In 22 plate appearances, Martin has slashed .333/.500/.600 with one home run and two RBI’s. He has also accumulated .3 WAR.

Now injured, the Dodgers will lose out on some of that early season production and will be left hoping to get a serviceable fill-in with Rocky Gale.

Gale,  31, was recalled from Triple-A following the announcement that Martin would need to miss some time.

This year with the OKC Dodgers, Gale has two hits in six at-bats, however, last year, the journeyman backstop hit .281 with the Dodgers highest level affiliate.

Gale, known for his defense, has appeared in parts of the 2015, ’17 and ’18 season in the majors during which he hit an underwhelming .091 with one home run.

The timetable for Martin’s injury is yet to become clear although one can guess that the priority will be to get the seasoned veteran back on the field as soon as possible without risking further injury. With him on the IL, the Dodgers biggest focus will now shift to getting guys off the list. Guys such as Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Ryu and of course Martin.