ST. LOUIS — Yasmani Grandal had a locker in the Dodges’ clubhouse Friday and, unlike the last few days in Salt Lake City, his catching equipment.
“They sent me out with a glove,” he said. “That’s it.”
Grandal went 3 for 10 with five walks in his three rehab games this week, all as the Oklahoma City Dodgers’ designated hitter. After being placed on the 7-day disabled list with concussion-like symptoms, Grandal didn’t want to risk the odd chance of taking another foul tip or foul ball off his head. With no equipment, he didn’t even catch the odd bullpen session or between-innings warmup.
Grandal’s second game was shortened to five innings because he was ejected for arguing after taking a called third strike. The 26-year-old said it was the first ejection of his career at any level. Asked if he was expecting a fine, Grandal said, “I’m still waiting for the call.”
More importantly, Grandal believes the concussion symptoms are behind him. After a couple nights tossing and turning in Utah, he said he slept well last night here in St. Louis. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said that Grandal is on track to be activated tomorrow.
That means that Austin Barnes is likely headed back to Oklahoma City. Barnes started one game at catcher during his first week in the major leagues, Sunday in Los Angeles. He went 1-for-3 and collected his first major league hit, a single, in the Dodgers’ loss to the San Diego Padres.
A.J. Ellis started the other five games in Grandal’s absence.