Dodgers utility outfielder/first baseman Scott Van Slyke made his first rehab appearance with the Dodgers Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on Saturday evening and appears to be on track to return to the Dodgers within the next few days.

The 28-year-old Chesterfield, MO native, who was placed on the disabled list on June 2 with mid-back inflammation, was the Quakes designated on Saturday night before a sold-out LoanMart Field crowd (it was Corey Seager Bobblehead Night). Batting in the number two hole Van Slyke doubled in his first at bat, struck out swinging in his second, flied to deep right-center in his third and grounded out deep in the hole at short in his fourth.

Van Slyke hit the ball hard all night – including his first inning double down the right field line.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Aside from his strike out, Van Slyke hit the ball extremely hard each time and showed no ill-affects whatsoever – not even after sliding into second base on his double. He didn’t spend much time on the base paths as Dodgers top first base prospect Cody Bellinger followed Van Slyke’s double with one of his own. Bellinger, as you may know, was recently selected to the California League All-Star team which will play the Carolina League All-Stars on June 23 at LoanMart Field.

By all appearances, Van Slyke is ready to return to the Dodgers.
Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Van Slyke wasn’t the only Dodger to appear in Saturday night’s Quakes game. Dodgers right-hander Joel Peralta made his second rehab appearance, which did not go well. Peralta, who was on a 25-pitch limit, reached that mark after only 0.2 innings facing only four batters. The 39-year-old Bonao, Dominican Republic native allowed one run on two hits (including a double to the first batter he faced) with no strikeouts or walks. In his first outing last Thursday, Peralta allowed two runs on two hits with a walk in 1.0 inning, so you could say that Saturday’s outing was a little better, but not by much.

Peralta was in trouble with the first batter he faced and it went downhill from there.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Van Slyke is eligible to come off the DL on Monday, but according to Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, he will play Sunday and Monday with the Quakes and his status will be reevaluated after that. Mattingly also said that Peralta will pitch again with the Quakes on Monday when the pair will be joined by rehabbing relievers Brandon League and Paco Rodriguez. League has already made three rehab appearances with the Quakes and has yet to allow an earned run in his three innings of work. He has allowed three hits while striking out two and walking none.

Paco Rodriguez will be making his first rehab appearance on Monday, having been placed on the DL on May 31 with what was initially called an elbow strain but has since been diagnosed as a bone spur. On Saturday Rodriguez said that he will attempt to pitch through the pain for the remainder of the season and will have off-season surgery instead of having the surgery now.

Dodgers starter Brandon Beachy is scheduled to make his first rehab appearance on Tuesday with the Quakes. Beachy is recovering from his second Tommy John surgery and has been under a very conservative recovery program at Dodger Stadium, where he has been steadily increasing his workload. Over the past month the 28-year-old Kokomo, IN native has thrown three and four-inning bullpen sessions and has thrown to live hitters in simulated game situations. If Beachy comes out of his rehab appearances without any setbacks, he could be activated and inserted into the Dodgers starting rotation sometime around the All-Star break.