Turner pinch-hits; Gutierrez goes on DL

CHICAGO — Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner grounded into an eighth-inning double play as a pinch-hitter Wednesday night against the Chicago Cubs, returning to the field after experiencing discomfort in a quadriceps.

Turner was hurt while running to second base Monday night against the Cubs and the Dodgers weren’t sure when he would return.

“It feels a lot better today,” Turner said before the game. “Hopefully, with another day of treatment, I’ll be ready to go tomorrow.” He was ready a bit sooner. The team was less fortunate with backup outfielder Franklin Gutierrez, who landed on the 10day disabled list because of a left hamstring strain. The team recalled outfielder Trayce Thompson to take Gutierrez’s roster spot.

Roberts indicated Gutierrez’s worst-case scenario would involve a three-week layoff. Gutierrez was hitting .231 in his first six games. Roberts expects Gutierrez to avoid baseball activities until the weekend, at the earliest.

“For us, to have the coverage, it was a no-brainer to put him on the 10-day,” Roberts said.

Thompson was hitless in four games with triple-A Oklahoma City. The Dodgers did not put much importance on such a small sample of at-bats. The team appreciates Thompson’s ability to play all three outfield positions, and he is likely to start against left-handed pitchers.

Thompson hit 13 home runs last season before a stress fracture in his back forced him to the disabled list in July. He did not play again.

As he rehabilitated, he experienced setbacks in November and December, he said. The Dodgers did not expect him to be ready to compete in games in early April.

“Once I started to pick up my activity in late January, right before spring training, it really expedited the process tremendously,” Thompson said. “By the end of spring training, I felt like I was normal. Obviously, I’m in a good place now.

“I’m just happy to be back. No pun intended.”