The Los Angeles Dodgers will finally see the fruits of their trade deadline acquisitions with Max Scherzer making his team debut on Wednesday, but the wait for Danny Duffy and Trea Turner remains ongoing.
Duffy is currently on the 10-day injured list because of a left flexor strain that is expected to keep him out until September. He previously missed six weeks this season because of the same injury and is focused on getting fully healthy for the stretch run and potential postseason.
Meanwhile, Turner is on the COVID-IL after testing positive Tuesday, July 27, which has required a period of time spent in quarantine and amounted to uncertainty on when the All-Star shortstop would join his new team.
There now is some clarity but when Turner gets back on the field is still unknown. “Trea, as I understand it, the most recent information I’ve got is he’ll be able to fly in on Friday,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“Does that mean he’s going to be at the ballpark Saturday? I don’t know. I think he is going to be en route on Friday on an airplane. Once he gets here we’ll know more about when the time for him to get on the field with us is.”
Once Turner is able to join the Dodgers — whether initially part of the active roster or not — president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and Roberts intend to speak with the 28-year-old about where he will play.
Turner has experience in center field and some at second base, but is considered an everyday shortstop. Corey Seager is excited by the addition of Turner, but openly stated he hopes to remain the club’s shortstop.
The Dodgers could easily slot Turner in at second base or potentially move him to center field if Mookie Betts’ hip requires more time spent in the infield. Cody Bellinger started in right field on Tuesday, and the Dodgers are comfortable playing him there if necessary.
Scherzer’s advice to Turner
Turner was traded for a second time in his career but first during the middle of a season. “Just show up, do your job, play hard and win,” Scherzer said his advice was. “All the other stuff is usually hoopla of going through it.
“For me, it’s just a way the game tries to confuse you and play mind games with you. At the end of the day it’s still 60 feet, six inches. You’ve still got to get those hitters out, so you’ve got to find all the ways in the world that it’s actually the exact same.”
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