Reliever Kahnle is out for `weeks'
PHILADELPHIA >> The Dodgers’ bullpen has taken another hit.
Blake Treinen could be sidelined until the second half of the season with a shoulder injury. Victor Gonzalez is recovering from a debridement procedure on his elbow. Now Tommy Kahnle is likely out for weeks with an elbow injury.
Kahnle underwent an MRI earlier this week after going on the injured list with forearm pain. The official diagnosis after the exam is a bone bruise in his elbow. The injury is believed to be related to Kahnle’s recovery from Tommy John surgery performed in August 2020. Kahnle will be shut down for the next two weeks and then re-evaluated.
“It was certainly disappointing to hear that,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s going to be a while — weeks — before he picks up a baseball again. We’re expecting to have him back at some point in time. But certainly just disappointing with all that he’s had to overcome to get back here.”
The Dodgers were cautious with Kahnle’s return from Tommy John surgery, delaying his season debut until May 1 so he could make several appearances on a rehab assignment. Kahnle made just four appearances before going on the injured list.
“I mean, I’m not too concerned. But also it sucks,”
Kahnle said earlier this week. “I’ve been through a long rehab process, with Tommy John and all this stuff. But it sucks. It’s not the best.”
It is also not the best news for the Dodgers’ bullpen and Roberts acknowledged the team “was counting on him” to play a key role.
“But that’s not to be. So other guys are just gonna get opportunities,” he said.
Real blowout
The wheels on the bus did not go round and round.
One of the charter buses taking players, coaches and staff from the team hotel to Citizens Bank Park on Friday afternoon had a tire blow out — with a loud bang — while on the freeway.
Roberts was on the bus and jokingly asked if anyone knew how to change a tire — Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel said he did.
“He did not (change the bus tire),” Roberts said. “But from what I gather from talking to him, he has that ability. I know he can change a car tire. But a dual-axel bus tire? I don’t know.”
The tire was changed — without Kimbrel’s help — and the group arrived at the park only slightly delayed, Roberts said.
“It was a quick turnaround. We were delayed probably 20 minutes,” Roberts said. “It was pretty easy. I guess it could have been a lot worse.”
Baez back
Right-hander Pedro Baez is back in the Dodgers’ organization after signing a minor-league contract with the team on Thursday.
A stalwart part of the Dodgers’ bullpen from 2014 through 2020 — if not necessarily a fan favorite — Baez left as a free agent, signing a two-year, $12.5 million contract with the Houston Astros. Things did not go well for Baez in Houston. After a bout with COVID last year, he came down with a sore shoulder that limited him to 4 1/3 innings.
He made just three appearances for the Astros last month before he was designated for assignment and released. The 34-yearold Baez has experienced a significant drop in velocity on his fastball since leaving the Dodgers — from 94-96 mph with the Dodgers to less than 90 mph with the Astros.
Baez will head to the Dodgers’ training complex in Arizona before being assigned to a minor-league team.
Also
Left-hander Andrew Heaney threw another bullpen session on Friday afternoon. Heaney threw approximately 30 pitches. “He looked good,” Roberts said. “Fastball, slider, changeup. Sat 90 (mph), touched 92.” Heaney will throw at least one more bullpen session before facing hitters in a simulated game situation. A minor-league injury rehabilitation assignment will follow at some point after that.