It just went from bad to worse for the Los Angeles Dodgers. On Monday the team found out that starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy had a torn UCL and would be out for the season. On Tuesday they announced outfielder Carl Crawford has a torn oblique and is expected to miss several months.
The Dodgers were once deep at the outfield position and an injury such as this would be nothing more than a slight scratch on their armor. However, a winter trade that sent Matt Kemp south on the I-5 to the San Diego Padres and a hamstring injury to star Yasiel Puig now has Los Angeles scrambling to guard the fence at Chavez Ravine.
Crawford was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday and Enrique Hernandez was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take his place on the 25-man roster. Utility infielder, Alex Guerrero, who is off to a hot start to the season will make his first ever career start in left field and Scott Van Slyke is expected to see some time in right field.
"It's pretty bad," said the 33-year old Crawford before Tuesday night's game against the San Francisco Giants.
The Dodgers did not announce a timetable for Crawford's return, but typically oblique injuries of this nature can carry a six to eight week recovery period, often longer depending on the severity. With injuries mounting, it will be interesting to see how the reigning NL West division champions continue on from here.
