When the news broke last week that the Dodgers had acquired middle infielder Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals along with future Hall of Fame right-hander Max Scherzer, there was quite a buzz in the City of Angels; and why wouldn’t there be? The 28-year-old Boynton Beach, FL native and first-round draft pick in 2014 by the San Diego Padres out of North Carolina State had an impressive .300 / .355 / .486 / .841 career slash line over seven major league seasons, with 93 home runs and 306 RBI.

Although primarily a shortstop throughout his career, Turner’s ability to play All-Star-caliber second base solved concerns over who would play second base down the stretch, with Dodgers World Series MVP shortstop Corey Seager back from the IL and 23-year-old de facto second baseman Gavin Lux now on it with a strained left hamstring.

That said, Turner didn’t arrive in LA until late this past week, having tested positive for COVID-19 and placed on the mandatory COVID-19 IL. And though he did not start Friday night’s game against the Angels of Anaheim at Dodger Stadium, he did pinch-hit for Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning.

…sort of.

After fouling off a ball on his first swing in a Dodger uniform off of Angels right-hander Austin Warren, Turner popped the second one straight up, also foul. This one was caught by Angels catcher Max Stassi for the first out of the inning … on two pitches.

Needless to say, Turner’s first official at-bat in Dodger Blue did not go as he – and every Dodger fan on the planet – had hoped, with the Dodgers falling to the Angeles by a score of 4-3 in 10 innings.

Oh well … there’s always next time, right?

Play Ball!

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