The Dodgers will have to start the regular season without their star third baseman Justin Turner. Turner is going to miss at least a few weeks with a “small, non-displaced fracture” in his left wrist. Turner was plunked in the first inning of yesterday’s game by Kendall Graveman of the Athletics and was immediately in pain. The right hander let one get away and the ball got on Turner quick. As he turned away the ball caught him on the wrist right below the forearm. The Dodgers have not announced any kind of timetable for his return yet, but with Opening Day only 10 days away, the team will have to find a third baseman. Dodger’s GM Farhan Zaidi said, “We do feel good about our internal options. There are guys who can move around.” Logan Forsthye is a good option to move over to third with Chase Utley ready to step in at second. This will definitely slow down the Dodgers out of the gate. Turner is a difference maker in this lineup. The passionate redhead hit .322 and smacked 21 home runs last season. This injury has the potential to ruin the Dodgers season if it is serious. They need this bat in the lineup and missing extended time would be a huge blow to the offense. Turner will also have to be careful coming back as wrists always seem to get re-injured. That left wrist is a vital part of his swing and he needs it to be healthy for him to be successful. He needs to take it slow, even if pressure starts to build after a bad start by the club. All the Dodgers and their fans can do now is hope for a speedy and complete recovery.
