Andy Pages injury creates huge hole in Dodgers lineup: Who will fill it?
The Los Angeles Dodgers will have to regroup after seeing their talented roster lose another key player to injury.
Fresh off a 5-4 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts informed his team that outfielder Andy Pages suffered a left hand fracture during Friday night's game. Pages was struck in the hand by a 100.2 mph sinker thrown by Pirates right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler in the third inning. While the injury is not considered season-ending, it is expected to sideline the first-time All-Star for approximately four to five weeks.
Pages is the team's top defensive player, leading in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and outfield assists, and has contributed significantly offensively with 80 RBI, 21 home runs, and 72 runs this season.
To fill the void created by Pages' injury, the Dodgers called up speedy outfielder Alek Thomas from their Triple-A affiliate, the Oklahoma City Comets. Thomas, who had an .855 OPS with the Comets, made his Dodgers debut with his first hit of the season and an RBI on Saturday, Aug. 22. Prior to being called up, Thomas recorded an .855 OPS with the Comets.
The Dodgers have also acquired infielder Josue De Paula, considered the team's top-ranked minor league prospect, who has led the Texas League in batting average (.314), OPS (.969), and RBI (95) this season. Will Smith, the catcher dealing with an inflamed disc in his neck, is expected to return from the injured list during the first week of September and is not expected to participate in the team's upcoming road trip against the Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers.
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