Editorials

Dodgers News: Howie Kendrick Still Expected Back In September

Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been almost two weeks without second baseman Howie Kendrick for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and they have been fine at the spot with Kiké Hernandez coming into his own over that time.

Even with Hernandez’s showing, the Dodgers made a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies for second baseman Chase Utley on Wednesday. The move cost them two minor-leaguers, including Darnell Sweeney, who was called up to the Majors after the deal. A deal for a second baseman didn’t seem to fit the Dodgers needs, especially after two games in which the bullpen allowed runs that lost a game and put one out of reach.



One might have been inclined to think that Kendrick suffered a setback; however, according to J.P. Hoornstra of the LA Daily News, Kendrick is still on track to return sooner rather than later:

Kendrick was injured on August 9 running out a grounder against the Pittsburgh Pirates and went on the disabled list the next day. He was hitting .389 with six RBIs in eight games in August before going down.

So why did the Dodgers deal for Utley, a second baseman who had demands of playing time in any trade?

According to Eric Stephen of True Blue LA, general manager Farhan Zaidi believed the injury was magnified during the stretch run:

The talk around the deal is that Utley will be the team’s primary second baseman for the time being, allowing Hernandez to fill in more in center field because of Joc Pederson’s struggles at the plate. Also, if Hernandez was to sit a day at second base before this deal, Alberto Callaspo would have been the backup. Callaspo was designated for assignment after the deal, making Utley a significant upgrade.

Regardless of any deals, the Dodgers are hoping Kendrick returns as soon as possible.

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Vincent Samperio

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

2 Comments

  1. Obviously, the Phillies think Sweeney is ready for the majors, so we traded a young, versatile (he can play the OF too) player for a veteran rental who probably won’t get the playing time he wants. All the while the guy filling in at second is producing at a Kendrick-level (minus the defense) anyway. Look, I trust this front office and no one will be rooting for Utley (a UCLA boy!) than I will … but, sometimes it seems these guys are running the team as if it were a Fantasy League. Let’s hope it works.

  2. I saw the move as unnecessary earlier, citing Kike’s success at the plate and the idea that they just removed his bat from the daily lineup. However, if he is starting in the OF for Joc and Puig, as well as backing up Utley, it does make more sense. Nevertheless, they MUST upgrade the pen immediately, too! They need someone who can pitch the 8th inning to get to Jansen… a current closer from another team! Then, perhaps, they can manage to get 3 outs in the 7th inning when necessary.

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