Oct 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) runs home after hitting a three RBI home run against the Chicago Cubs in the ninth inning during game two of the 2017 NLCS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Photo Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner is expected to miss “weeks” after suffering a small non-displaced fracture on his left wrist after he was hit by a pitch from Oakland A’s starting pitcher Kendall Graveman on Monday night.
Turner will open the season of the disabled list and will be examined by Arizona hand specialist Dr. Brian Shafer on Tuesday.
General manager Farhan Zaidi hinted that the team would likely fill Turner’s third base position internally rather than externally.
“You feel for the player and we’re not as good a team without J.T., no doubt about that,” Zaidi told Ken Gurnick, who covers the Dodgers for mlb.com. “The rest of the guys are going to have to do more for us to play at the same level.
“But the next thought, practically, is what it means for the team, and as far as that goes, we have some very capable guys who are going to be given a chance to seize an opportunity. We feel very confident staying in-house with this one and the hope is we’re not missing him too long.”
Second baseman Logan Forsythe could be an option to replace Turner. Versatile infielder/outfielder Enrique Hernandez may also be a candidate.
Turner, 33, made his first All-Star team a year ago after hitting .322 with 32 doubles, 21 home runs and 71 RBIs. He was also the NLCS MVP after hitting .333 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 18 at-bats.
