Justin Turner suffered a broken wrist in Monday’s Spring Training game against the Oakland Athletics. Turner took a high pitch off of the outside of his left wrist in the first inning. It is reported he will be out a significant amount time.
Justin Turner Breaks Wrist in Spring Training
The All-Star third baseman is likely to be out at least four to six weeks. According to CBS, Turner will need a minor-league rehab assignment before working back into the Dodger team. Turner consistently hit third in the line up last season and has been one of the team’s marquee players for four seasons now. The former NL champions will have to test their depth trying to fill a void at third base. Turner hit .322/.415/.530 (149 OPS+) with 21 home runs and 71 RBI and more walks than strikeouts in 2017.
The ‘thought-to-be’ move would shift Logan Forsythe from second base over to third. Forsythe has some experience at the position over the years with the Tampa Bay Rays and last season with LA. On the offensive side, Forsythe hit for .224 with six home runs and 36 RBI in 119 games. The utility player featured in 42 games at the hot corner in 2017 during the time of Turner’s previous injury. Enrique Hernandez could also play third base.
Looking at second base, the 39-year-old veteran Chase Utley comes to mind looking at the start of 2018. Utley featured in 138 and 127 games the last two seasons respectively. In 2017, he hit for .236 with eight home runs and 34 RBI paired with his supreme defense and experience.
Although this is an incredible blow to the Dodgers, of all teams losing an All-Star third baseman, LA is suited the best to bounce back with their utility, adaptability, and experience to fill the voids that come with a loss like Justin Turner.
Hopefully, Turner has a speedy recovery and is back with the Dodgers as soon as possible. Not only the Dodgers but the baseball community will miss one the games’ best for the time being.
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