ThinkBlueLA has learned that Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner will begin his rehab assignment on Monday night with the team’s Advanced Single-A affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes when they take on the Modesto Nuts (Mariners) at LoanMart Field in Rancho Cucamonga.

The extremely popular 32-year-old Long Beach, California native was placed on the 10-day disabled list after suffering a right hamstring strain on May 18 while rounding third base in an eventual 7-2 win over the Miami Marlins at Dodger stadium. At the time Turner was hitting a near MLB-best .379, with an on-base percentage of .453 and a slugging percentage of .493 for an outstanding OPS of .946.

It was immediately apparent that Justin Turner had suffered a hamstring injury when he pulled up lame rounding third base and was easily tagged out at home by Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto on May 18.
(Photo credit – Jill Weisleder)

Although the Dodgers have played exceptionally well during Turner’s absence, winning 12 of 17 (.705), his missing near-perfect glove has been noticed significantly. This certainly isn’t to say that temporary replacements Chris Taylor, Kiké Hernandez and Logan Forsythe haven’t done a decent job, they simply are not Justin Turner-good at the hot corner.

The Quakes host the Nuts tonight and Tuesday night with an off day on Wednesday, while the Dodgers have Thursday night off. The Dodgers then begin a weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds at home before another day off on Monday, June 12. They then hit the road for a three-game interleague series with the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field before facing the Reds again for three games at Great American Ballpark.

Baring the unforeseen, Turner could return to the Dodgers lineup as early as Friday night, June 9 or perhaps after the Monday, June 12 off day.

Either way, it will be great to have @redturn2 back in the Dodgers lineup and on the field.