With the Dodgers currently mired in a horrible slump that has seen them lose three straight to the National League Central last place Cincinnati Reds, there was some much needed good news coming from 46 miles east of Dodger Stadium on Saturday night that could be just what the doctor ordered.

On Saturday night while the Dodgers suffered their third consecutive loss to the Reds that now has them a mere two games ahead of the NL West last place Padres, Dodgers All-Star third baseman Justin Turner and veteran second baseman Logan Forsythe were playing in a rehab game with the Dodgers Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes at LoanMart Field.

It was Turner’s first actual live game action since being struck on his left wrist by a pitch during the final week of spring training that caused a non-displaced fracture that has had the popular 33-year-old Long Beach, California native on the disabled list since.

“Everything felt good tonight,” Turner told reporters after his seven innings and four at-bat night. “Took a lot of swings, had to make a couple plays on defense, and came out of it feeling really good.”

Even though Turner went 0-for-3 with a walk on Saturday night during his first of (presumably) two rehab games, he hit the ball hard and said that he felt comfortable at the plate. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Unlike most other DL stints, Turner faced live pitching in simulated games at Dodger Stadium over the past week, against several Dodgers minor league pitchers. He was sent out to Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, where the plan is to have him play in two rehab games with no restrictions or limitations and then travel to Miami with the Dodgers on Monday’s off day and be reactivated from the DL for Tuesday’s game against the Marlins at Marlins Park.

“I think that when they ask me ‘What do you think?’ I was like I don’t know, 30 at-bats and then getting the 25 at-bats the last couple days really kind of helped speed things up,” Turner said. “And then four tonight and hopefully three or four tomorrow. I felt good at the plate tonight and hopefully I’ll continue to feel good tomorrow.”

As they say, ‘The ball will find you,’ which is exactly what happened on the very first play of the game on Saturday, evening when Turner made a running catch of a pop-up in foul territory.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

As for Forsythe, he landed on the DL back on April 15 with right shoulder inflammation. And even though he had a couple days head start in his rehab with the Quakes over Turner, he, too, said the he will be ready to rejoin the struggling Dodgers on Tuesday in Miami.

“That’s the goal,” said the 31-year-old Memphis, Tennessee native and eight-year MLB veteran. “If all goes well tomorrow, I think hopefully Miami, but we’ll see. I think tomorrow’s the big indicator.”

Forsythe went 1-for-4 on Star Wars Night at LoanMart Field, narrowly missing a home run by a couple of feet that went for a double. Like Turner, he expects to rejoining the Dodgers on Tuesday in Miami.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Needless to say, getting Turner and Forsythe back can’t happen soon enough.

Play Ball!