The Los Angeles Dodgers have been struggling in recent weeks, particularly in the absence of All-Star outfielder Andy Pages. Pages was placed on the 10-day injured list after suffering a fractured hand when he was struck by a 100 mph fastball during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 21. This injury has contributed to the Dodgers’ difficulties, as they have fallen below .500 since July 1.
In a promising development for the team, Dodgers hitting coach Aaron Bates has reported that Pages is currently pain-free in his injured hand. Following surgery on his left hand just over a week ago, he is expected to begin swinging a bat in the coming days. This news comes as a relief to a team that has been searching for offensive consistency.
Before his injury, Pages was enjoying a breakout season, boasting a .272 batting average and an impressive .796 on-base plus slugging (OPS). His performance earlier in the season earned him his first All-Star selection, highlighting his potential as a key contributor to the Dodgers' lineup.
The Dodgers, who are the reigning back-to-back World Series champions, have been in dire need of a spark for their offense. In their recent game against the St. Louis Cardinals, the team struggled significantly, going just 1-for-18 with runners in scoring position and leaving 13 runners on base. Such inefficiency at the plate has been a recurring theme for Los Angeles this summer.
As September unfolds, the Dodgers have already faced two consecutive losses to the Cardinals, marking a challenging start to their nine-game homestand. The return of Pages could be pivotal in turning around their fortunes as they aim to regain their winning form.
With Pages potentially set to return to action soon, the Dodgers and their fans are hopeful that his presence will reinvigorate the lineup and help the team climb back into contention as the postseason approaches. The timing of his recovery could not be more critical as the Dodgers look to solidify their position in the competitive National League.
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