Dodgers: Justin Turner Held Out of Lineup for Third Game in a Row
Concern set amongst Dodger fans when all-star third baseman Justin Turner was noticeably absent from the starting lineup for the third consecutive game since tweaking his hamstring.
Here's your #Dodgers starting lineup for today's matchup against the #Phillies! pic.twitter.com/nRycNAR7zV
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 1, 2019
While manager Dave Roberts was quoted as saying that Turner’s hamstring injury was “a little more severe” than initially thought, Alanna Rizzo thankfully eased some concerns with the update that he could be returning to the lineup as early on Sunday.
Turner (hamstring) will be in starting lineup as early as tomorrow or possibly Monday.
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) June 1, 2019
While it’s often nice to say “the sooner the better,” when it comes to adding a player slashing .467/.485/.567 over his last 7 games to your lineup, there is more reason to be cautious when it comes hamstring injuries. Such injuries have the propensity to linger and resurface without warning during a season.
In his absence, Max Muncy started at 3B on Thursday and Friday, going 3-7 (.429) with 1 HR and 3 RBI.
Turner is officially listed as “day-to-day.”
Justin Turner come back healthy. Muncy is a liability at 3rd-base, 2nd, 1st, wherever he plays. Can’t David Freese still play 3rd or is he just 1st-base at this stage of his career.
I beg to disagree, Robin. Mad Max is an asset to this club : he hits home runs, gives 110%, and can play multiple positions. A good team man. Thankfully, we have Max to play third base while Big Red rehabs from his current medical issues. Go Blue!!!!!
IMO Max is as valuable as Kike by moving around the diamond…yes maybe he isn’t the defensive player that JT is but he leaves it all on the field and is a good clutch hitter…big hits at big times!!!
It’s time to give the man his due………David Freese has very quietly become the Dodgers quiet assassin……….this is not on a knock on Muncy, but Robin is correct…….Freese needs to be in the lineup and Munce should be the utility guy @ first (roles reversed)………and YES Freese can play third too.