Dodgers News: Adrian Gonzalez Says His Back Is Feeling 100%

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ number one offensive producer appears to be ready to go for the National League Division Series. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez battled through a pinched nerve in his back during the final weeks of the regular season.

While Gonzalez did his best to play through the pain, the injury caused him to sit out back-to-back games in Colorado on Sept. 26 and Sept. 27. However, Gonzalez’s desire to help the club win their third consecutive NL West title outweighed the pain as he played out the remainder of the regular season games.

According to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, the five-time All-Star has moved past the injury:

It should be 100%,” Gonzalez said. “I don’t think it’s going to be an issue at all. If I don’t get a hit, it’s not because of my back.”

The team’s last game was on Sunday in which Gonzalez played just three innings with the game having little significance:

Asked for an update on his back, Gonzalez replied, “It’s hard to say because I haven’t had a game since. It’s not something you completely feel in a one-hour practice.”

The Gold Glove first baseman has been the anchor for the Dodgers offense leading the team in every major batting category. Overall, Gonzalez is hitting .275/.350/.480 with 28 home runs and 90 RBIs.

After having a scorching start to the season in which he batted .383 and hit eight home runs in the first 21 games, Gonzalez eventually regressed and would eventually have a subpar end to his season. In the final 29 games in which he played in, the 33-year old batted .232/.330/.364 with just three home runs.

The 11-year veteran takes his .294 career postseason average into the playoffs hoping to lead the Dodgers to their first World Series since 1988.