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The road to recovery for Alex Verdugo has now spanned over a month.
On August 6th, the Dodgers placed Verdugo on the 10-day IL with a right oblique strain that has sidelined him up to earlier this month, when the Dodgers sent Verdugo on a rehab assignment in Ogden with the team’s Rookie League affiliate. However, rumors had surfaced on Twitter about the rehab assignment, suggesting Verdugo had re-injured himself during a game with the Raptors in Ogden.
Dave Roberts spoke on Saturday about Verdugo’s current status and the possibility of his return being sooner rather than later, and called the process “stagnant right now.” News like this threatens the likelihood that Verdugo is ready to play in the Major Leagues, come October.
This season, Verdugo has batted .294 over 106 games, swatting 12 home runs while posting a .817 OPS. His impact on the 2019 Dodgers team travels beyond his play on the field too, providing an energy to the clubhouse that is seemingly unmatched by anyone else on the roster.
The loss of Verdugo would be a huge game-changer for any team gearing up for a postseason run, and LA may have been struck with a game-changer here. The Dodgers will certainly be hoping to see their young star-studded outfielder make a full recovery prior to the Fall Classic.