Dodgers activate Mookie Betts from paternity list, takes reps at shortstop
CHICAGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers activated outfielder Mookie Betts from the paternity checklist Thursday and recalled right-hander Andre Jackson from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Right-hander Evan Phillips was positioned on the paternity checklist, and infielder Yonny Hernández was optioned to the crew’s high farm membership.
Betts’ spouse gave delivery to their second youngster Tuesday. He missed two video games earlier than rejoining the Dodgers forward of a four-game sequence towards the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
With infielders Miguel Rojas and Chris Taylor hampered by accidents, supervisor Dave Roberts put Betts at shortstop after he reached on a pinch-hit single within the high of the seventh. It was the primary profession look on the place for the 30-year-old Betts, a six-time Gold Glove winner in proper discipline.
Luke Williams began at shortstop for Los Angeles. Williams was promoted Tuesday and made his third profession begin at shortstop in a 5-3 loss to the New York Mets on Wednesday.
Michael Grove was on the mound for Los Angeles, however the 26-year-old right-hander departed within the fourth inning with a proper groin pressure.
Taylor left Monday evening’s recreation towards New York within the eighth with soreness in his left aspect. He bought into Wednesday’s recreation as a pinch runner.
Taylor examined his left aspect on the sphere earlier than Thursday’s matchup with the Cubs.
“Just not kind of sure when we’re going to get him a start, but it’s coming,” Roberts stated, “and he’s getting a little anxious, which is a good thing.”
Rojas went on the 10-day injured checklist on Wednesday with a left hamstring pressure. He is with the crew in Chicago and can begin doing a little “baseball-specific stuff” within the subsequent few days, based on Roberts.
Gavin Lux was anticipated to be the crew’s beginning shortstop this 12 months, however he’s out for the season after hurting his proper knee throughout spring coaching.
Los Angeles is also enjoying with out catcher Will Smith, who was positioned on the seven-day concussion IL on Sunday. Roberts stated he’s hoping to get Smith again sooner or later throughout the crew’s subsequent sequence at Pittsburgh.
“Each passing day gets a little bit better,” Roberts stated.
The sequence opener towards Chicago marked Jason Heyward’s first recreation at Wrigley since he was launched by the Cubs in November. The 33-year-old outfielder signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers in December.
Heyward spent seven seasons in Chicago, serving to the Cubs win the 2016 World Series for the franchise’s first title since 1908. He is predicted to begin Saturday and Sunday.
The Cubs confirmed a pregame video with highlights of Heyward’s time in Chicago and his group service work. The crowd responded with a heat spherical of cheers, and Heyward popped out of the dugout, patted his coronary heart and held his left arm within the air to acknowledge the reception.
“It’s always fun to come to Wrigley,” stated Heyward, who hit .245 with 62 homers for Chicago after signing a $184 million, eight-year contract earlier than the 2016 season. “It’s a baseball spot. It’s historic. Good to see it. Only thing I wish we would see is the ivy in, but I know that’s like a couple months away. But still good to be here.”
