Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave an update on relief pitcher Scott Alexander and centerfielder Cody Bellinger at his pregame press conference today as Los Angeles is set to face the struggling Arizona Diamondbacks.
Alexander is scheduled to throw one inning for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes tonight followed by “a couple days off.” Roberts was not certain, but did say that he will face a live batter on Monday. He did mention Rancho Cucamonga as a possibility for Monday. At some point, he will throw on back-to-back days and be ready to join the MLB club in the “first couple days of July.”
As for Bellinger, who is on the 10-day IL with a hamstring injury, he did a light practice at Camelback Ranch — the Dodgers’ spring training complex — of batting practice, at-bats, and running so “today was a good day for him,” according to Roberts.
In addition to that, Corey Seager and Max Muncy both participated in pregame batting practice with the major league team.
In regards to the mindset going into facing a team like the Arizona Diamondbacks — who are 20-50 and have lost 14 straight games — Roberts mentioned that “the short answer is to focus on ourselves and how we play and approach the game. Obviously, this team’s not playing well, hasn’t played well for quite some time but, in itself to win one baseball game that’s gotta be our only focus. Comes down to Trevor (Bauer) pitching well, us playing good defense, and taking good at-bats.”
Ultimately, it looks like things are progressing well on the injury front for the Dodgers, and the team has an opportunity to potentially pick up three wins against the struggling D-backs starting tonight.
