The Los Angeles Dodgers are starting to pull away in the NL West and now the team is getting healthy for the stretch run.
On Sunday Brian Wilson threw a perfect inning at Triple-A Albuquerque. It marked the third appearance of the bearded reliever in the minors and he has yet to allow a hit or a walk. Any concerns the Dodgers have about Wilson are being put to rest and he could join the big league club this weekend.
Prior to Sunday’s game outfielder Matt Kept (ankle) was seen shagging balls in center field. Kemp also took batting practice.
“It was good,” said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. “Matt is going in the right direction for us. He’s getting closer to playing.”
Kemp should be welcomed back to the team in a week.
The departure of Adrian Gonzalez from Sunday night’s game in the bottom of the eighth was due to dizziness. Gonzalez felt a little light headed and with the Dodgers in command of the game there was no reason to push the issue. Doctors checked out Gonzalez and he is cleared to return to the field.
Hanley Ramirez is expected to return to the Dodgers on Monday. Ramirez had a jammed shoulder which forced him out of seven straight games but after a workout on Sunday the shortstop is ready to get back on the field.
“I hope it’s not something I have to deal with the rest of the season,” Ramirez said on Sunday, via Dodgers.com. “If it is, I’ve done it before, a couple of times this season. Those are things you can’t control.”
The Dodgers have a 7.5 game lead in the NL West while second place Arizona is struggeling to stay above .500 this season.
