NL West Round-Up: Multiple Pitchers Completing Rehab Work
The Los Angeles Dodgers salvaged the weekend series against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday with a 6-2 win that included another strong start by Zack Greinke and a multi home run game from Matt Kemp and Hanley Ramirez. Injuries and pitchers attempting to get through rehab work continue to be dominant stories teams in the NL West.
Here’s a look at the news and rumors from around the division:
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks have had a rough start to their season. They dropped both games in the Opening Series with the Dodgers and are 2-7 on the season. One of the few bright spots for the Diamondbacks has been the production they’ve gotten from Mark Trumbo. The left fielder has five home runs and 13 RBIs through the nine games and on Sunday homered in his fourth consecutive game.
Colorado Rockies
Tyler Chatwood and Jhoulys Chacin, two pitchers who figure to be part of the Colorado Rockies’ pitching rotation, continued to make progress towards their respective season debuts. Chatwood is scheduled to pitch in a Triple-A game on Tuesday and without setbacks, could pitch for the Rockies on April 13, when he’s eligible to come off the disabled list. Chacin isn’t as far along and could pitch in a simulated game on Monday or Tuesday as part of the next step in his recovery process.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers lost the first against the San Diego Padres, but won the next two games of the series. They then began their first homestand of the season on a negative note, losing the first two games before winning on Sunday. Yasiel Puig suffered a thumb strain in the series and more is expected to become known on the status of his injury in the coming days. Meanwhile, Josh Beckett and Chad Billingsley both left their scheduled rehab starts early due to varying degrees of discomfort.
Beckett had issues with his ankle and calf after fielding a bunt and Billingsley felt a sensation in his right elbow. Beckett was able to complete a bullpen session on Sunday and may start this week for the Dodgers. Billingsley’s situation isn’t believed to be serious, but any news of issues in an elbow of a pitcher who has undergone Tommy John surgery is somewhat concerning.
San Diego Padres
After opening their season with a win over the Dodgers, the San Diego Padres lost four straight before getting back in the win column on Sunday. Part of the poor record can be attributed to lackluster offensive production for the Padres. Yonder Alonso and Alexi Amarista are tied for the team lead with three RBIs each, but both are hitting below .200. Starting second baseman Jedd Gyorko began the season 0-for-11 with six strikeouts before breaking through for his first hit in the Padres loss to the Miami Marlins on Friday.
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants put together a four-game winning streak during the first week of the season, which included taking three of four from the Diamondbacks and two of three from the Dodgers. The Giants have gotten strong starting pitching from Madison Bumgarner and Tim Hudson, who are a combined 2-0 with only two earned runs allowed. Bumgarner continued his domination and Dodger Stadium on Saturday and Hudson will take the mound for the Giants’ home opener on Tuesday.
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Dodgers news: Clayton Kershaw placed on the disabled list with a back injury
