Jimmy Rollins is making his first start at shortstop — or anywhere in the field — since Sept. 6. The veteran had been bothered by a sore right index finger that has prevented him from throwing, but he looked OK today during pregame warmups. See for yourself:
Justin Turner‘s sore left knee is serious enough that the Dodgers ordered an MRI exam on the 30-year-old third baseman. Turner will not play today and tomorrow, at least.
That leaves the Dodgers without the “regular” left side of their infield at the moment. Jimmy Rollins is still recovering from a sore right index finger that prevents him from playing the field.
Here’s what manager Don Mattingly said about Turner and Rollins today:
Jimmy Rollins/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Dodgers
Shortstop Jimmy Rollins still can’t throw without pain and discomfort from the jammed knuckle on his right index finger. He can pinch-run and pinch-hit, but for now, that’s it.
“The hitting doesn’t bother me at all, which is good, so that’s a big improvement,” Rollins said Friday; he was used as a pinch-runner on Sept. 11, Sept. 12 and Tuesday but has not hit or played in the field since Sept. 6. “I’m able to grab a bat and make a fist, so it’s just the throwing part.”
Rollins was asked about his level of frustration at this point.
“No one wants to be in that position, but I wouldn’t call it frustrating,” he said. “Injuries happen, that’s part of the game. So you just have to accept it, unfortunately. No one wants to be injured at any point of the season, but when it does (happen), do what you need to do to get back, come back, hopefully you’re ready for the long run.”
Manager Don Mattingly said of Rollins, “It sounds like we’re going to stay away from the throwing for a few days and we’ll just try to start back up and see where he’s at when we get there.”
Rookie Corey Seager started again at shortstop Friday.
Howie Kendrick ran the bases at full speed without pain — the last hurdle to clear in his recovery from a strained left hamstring.
“The biggest thing is how I feel tomorrow, then we’ll see from there,” he said.
Kendrick and Dodgers manager Don Mattingly were both non-committal when asked where the second baseman would be Friday. He could return to the Dodgers or partake in a minor-league rehab game; however, the only minor league affiliate still playing Wednesday was Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, who faced possible elimination in Game 5 of the California League playoffs.
Kendrick said he’d already seen 90 pitches the last two days in simulated games at Dodger Stadium.
“I want to have confidence going into playing that I feel the best that I can,” he said. “Right now I feel good. We’ll see where we’re at.”
The news was not as encouraging for shortstop Jimmy Rollins. He had to stop playing catch after feeling pain in his right index finger after about 10-12 throws, Mattingly said.
Rollins is dealing with an inflamed tendon in the finger. He will not be back Friday.
Jimmy Rollins has been limited to pinch-running duty since he injured his right index finger. (Michael Owen Baker/Staff photographer)
Dodgers shortstop Jimmy Rollins took batting practice and ground balls at Dodger Stadium Tuesday, though he didn’t throw the ball. Rollins, who’s been battling a tender right index finger the last nine days, said he felt “much better” after taking BP.
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