Dodgers will be without reliever Tommy Kahnle for ‘weeks’ – Orange County Register

PHILADELPHIA — The Dodgers’ bullpen has taken another hit.

Blake Treinen could be out until the second half of the season with a shoulder injury. Victor Gonzalez is recovering from a debridement procedure on his elbow. Now Tommy Kahnle is likely out for weeks with an elbow injury.

Kahnle underwent an MRI earlier this week after sustaining a forearm injury. The official diagnosis after the examination is a bone bruise at the elbow. The injury is believed to be linked to Kahnle’s recovery from Tommy John surgery performed in August 2020.

Kahnle will be closed for the next two weeks and then reassessed.

“It was definitely disappointing to hear that,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s going to be a while – weeks – before he picks up a baseball again. We expect him to return at some point. But definitely just disappointing with everything he had to overcome to get back here.

The Dodgers have been cautious with Kahnle’s return from Tommy John surgery, delaying his season debut until May 1 so he can make multiple appearances in rehab. Kahnle only made four appearances before going on the injured list.

“I mean, I’m not too worried. But it also sucks,” Kahnle said earlier this week. “I went through a long rehabilitation process, with Tommy John and all that. But it sucks. It’s not the best.

It’s not the best news for the Dodgers bullpen either, and Roberts acknowledged the team was “counting on him” to play a key role.

” But this is not the case. So other guys are just going to get opportunities,” he said.

REAL BLOW

The wheels of the bus were not turning in circles.

One of the charter buses taking players, coaches and team hotel staff to Citizens Bank Park on Friday afternoon had a flat tire – with a loud bang – while on the road highway.

Roberts was on the bus and jokingly asked if anyone knew how to change a tire – Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel said they did.

“He didn’t (change the tire on the bus),” Roberts said. “But from what I understand from talking to him, he has that ability. I know he can change a car tire. But a double axle bus tire? I do not know.”

The tire was changed — without Kimbrel’s help — and the group arrived at the park only slightly delayed, Roberts said.

“It was a quick turnaround. We were delayed probably 20 minutes,” Roberts said. “It was pretty easy. I guess it could have been a lot worse.

BAEZ BACK

Right-hander Pedro Baez is back in the Dodgers organization after signing a minor league contract with the team on Thursday.

An integral part of the Dodgers’ bullpen from 2014-2020 — if not necessarily a fan favorite — Baez left as a free agent, signing a two-year, $12.5 million contract with the Astros. Houston. Things didn’t go well for Baez in Houston. After a bout with COVID last year, he had a sore shoulder that limited him to 4⅓ innings.

He made just three appearances for the Astros last month before being designated for assignment and released. Baez, 34, has seen a significant drop in his fastball speed since leaving the Dodgers — from 94-96 mph with the Dodgers to under 90 mph with the Astros.

Baez will travel to the Dodgers’ practice complex in Arizona before being assigned to a minor league team.

ALSO

Southpaw Andrew Heaney kicked off another bullpen session on Friday afternoon. Heaney threw about 30 pitches. “He looked good,” Roberts said. “Fastball, slider, change. Sat 90 (mph), touchdown 92.” Heaney will pitch at least one more bullpen session before facing the batters in a simulated play situation. A minor league injury rehab mission will follow at some point by the after. …

Roberts said pitcher Clayton Kershaw has returned home to Texas but will join the Dodgers when they reach Arizona at the end of the current road trip. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is not expected to start a throwing program until then. “I just don’t want to put it under any timeline,” Roberts said.

NEXT

Dodgers (TBA) at Phillies (RHP Aaron Nola, 1-4, 3.64 ERA), Saturday, 3 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM