Although Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wouldn’t come right out and say it, he gave every indication on Friday night that catcher Yasmani Grandal was more likely to begin the season on the disabled than not.

“I talked to Yasmani and he felt okay coming out of [a minor league game in Arizona] today; not great but I think that for us we’ve got to make that decision on if we want him to open the season active and remain active,” Roberts said. “I think that for us if there’s thoughts that he could have a setback once the season starts then I think that we’re going to err on the side of starting the season having him on the disabled list.

“So as it stands now, we planned on him playing tomorrow but he’s not going to play tomorrow, so we had to readjust some things so he’s going to stay in Arizona,” Roberts added. “And so now you’re looking at two days before Opening Day not counting today and so the window’s closing for Yasmani, so we’ll see.”

Not having Grandal’s bat in the lineup is a huge loss to the Dodgers, but bringing him back too soon could prove to be a huge mistake. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

While Roberts’ comments may suggest that there is still hope that the strained right forearm of the 27-year-old La Habana, Cuba native will somehow miraculously heal in two days and, more importantly, remain healed, the reality is that bringing him back for Opening Day against the San Diego Padres on Monday afternoon is just plain foolish.

Should the Dodgers elect to place Grandal on the 15-day disabled list as it appears they will,  it would be retroactive to March 25, which means that he could return as early as April 10. However, if he were to have played in Saturday’s Freeway Series finale against the Angels, as was the original plan as recently as two days ago, he wouldn’t be able to return to the active roster until April 18.

The good news for the Dodgers is that they have Austin Barnes on their 40-man roster and he can fill in as the backup catcher to A.J. Ellis until Grandal is ready to return. Barnes can also fill in at second base and third base if needed.