SAN DIEGO — If the Dodgers are going to get more offense down the stretch, it could come from an unexpected source – right out of left field, in fact.
Going into the weekend series against the San Diego Padres, Dodgers left fielders had combined for a .214 batting average (27th in the majors) and .667 OPS (23rd). By Wins Above Replacement, that group ranks 23rd in MLB.
Improving those numbers was on the Dodgers’ trade deadline agenda when they took aim at Steven Kwan. Kwan remains with the Cleveland Guardians and the Dodgers’ fallback acquisition, Alex Call, was 6 for 11 during the Colorado series after a slow start. But the Dodgers have started him in left field just five times.
“It’s important (to get more production from left field),” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts agreed Friday. “I think that whoever we get out there, we need production. It’s very important.”
Michael Conforto made his 100th start in left field on Friday and dragged a .186 average and .611 OPS into the game with a seriously-under-water OPS-plus of 72 (100 is league average). Roberts has continued to start Conforto despite his lack of production, in part, because of a lack of better options. That could be changing.
Hyeseong Kim and Kiké Hernandez started alongside each other in left and center field, respectively, on their rehab assignments with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday night. It was Kim’s first game action in left field since the 2020 season in South Korea.
“Obviously we know Hyeseong can play second base,” Roberts said. “We know he can play shortstop. So just seeing him out in left field, I think that it just potentially gives us a little bit more options.”
Left field is one of the many positions Hernandez has played as the Dodgers’ utility man. He could rejoin the Dodgers early next week and become another left field option – or an option in center field, allowing the Dodgers to move Andy Pages to a corner outfield spot.
“I think we’ll see him in left field,” Roberts said of Hernandez. “As guys come back, there’s going to be opportunities. So obviously, whoever’s out there – tonight, Mike is out there, he has an opportunity. But we definitely need production.”
Utility man Tommy Edman has increased his activity level but won’t return from his ankle injury until he is ready to play center field, creating another scenario that could bump Conforto from left field.
“It’s felt good with all the steps I’ve taken so far,” Edman said of his ankle. “We’re taking it a little bit slower just to make sure I’m not irritating the tissue any further. But everything has been good so far. Just getting back out there doing all the baseball activities I would potentially do on the field is something I’ve got to do and check off that box before I can go back out there and play.”
Edman is not expected back until early September but playing him in center field could move Pages to right, where he would be a defensive improvement over Teoscar Hernandez – and Teoscar Hernandez would be an offensive improvement over Conforto in left field.
“I think it’s certainly a great thought. It’s something that is not a 0% chance of happening,” Roberts said. “I haven’t approached Teo yet about it, but it’s certainly something I’ve thought about.”
All of those scenarios could improve the Dodgers’ outfield defense and production – without moving Mookie Betts from shortstop.
SCOTT RETURNS
As expected, Tanner Scott was activated from the injured list before Friday’s game. Kirby Yates will be activated on Saturday, giving the bullpen a boost.
“It’s great,” Roberts said. “Tanner says that he feels as good as he’s felt all year. Kirby is excited to get back, and he feels good as well.
“It just kind of takes a little bit of the pressure off some other guys, and it allows us to slot guys in their rightful spots.”
Neither Scott nor Yates have lived up to expectations after signing with the Dodgers – both have ERAs over 4.00 and Scott has six blown saves. But Roberts said both addressed “some mechanical things” while they were sidelined.
OHTANI THE PITCHER
Shohei Ohtani returned to the Dodgers’ starting lineup at DH on Friday after being given Thursday off.
Roberts said the swelling in Ohtani’s thigh contusion had gone down (after being hit by a line drive while on the mound Wednesday night in Colorado) and the injury is not expected to impact his next pitching start. That will likely come Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds. With the Dodgers off on Thursday, Ohtani would have a built-in recovery day following his start as he did in three consecutive starts before this week in Colorado.
ALSO
Right-hander Matt Sauer was returned to OKC on Friday in order to clear a roster spot for Scott’s activation. …
Right-hander Brock Stewart has begun a throwing program. Stewart received a cortisone injection and platelet-rich plasma treatment in his shoulder.
UP NEXT
Dodgers (RHP Tyler Glasnow, 1-1, 3.12 ERA) at Padres (LHP Nestor Cortes, 1-2, 5.87 ERA), Saturday, 5:40 p.m., SportsNet LA, FoxSports 1, 570 AM