Los Angeles Dodgers Injury Updates: Chris Hatcher is Back, Clayton Kershaw Getting Closer

The injury bug bites all teams from time-to-time, but the Los Angeles Dodgers seem to always be the main course.

Fresh off their record-breaking season in 2016 for most players on the disabled list, the 2017 edition of the Dodgers is on pace to shatter that record.

In 2016, Dodger players were sent to the disabled list a record 33 times, including an MLB-best 29 different players. 

As of today's date, the Dodgers have sent 23 different players to the DL in 2017, missing a combined 1,336 days of action, totaling over $43 million dollars in paid salaries to injured players. 

The most recent victim of the revolving door that is the Dodgers' disabled list is reliever Grant Dayton who returned to the disabled list last week with a neck injury.

Chris Hatcher, a right-handed reliever who had been on the disabled list since June 23rd, was activated on Sunday and third-string catcher, Kyle Farmer, was optioned back to Triple-A OKC.

On the upside, a handful of players who have spent considerable time on the disabled list are close to returning, including three-time NL Cy Young Award Winner, Clayton Kershaw.

Here's the updates:

Scott Kazmir (Left hip strain): Scott Kazmir was back in the Dodgers clubhouse during the three-game series in Phoenix as the left-hander has been rehabbing at Camelback Ranch after seeing a hip specialist in Texas during the month of July. Its doubtful Kazmir takes the field in 2017.

Brandon McCarthy (blister): McCarthy is still on the disabled list as he recovers from a blister on his right middle finger. He was spotted in the dugout in Phoenix and was back at Chavez Ravine for the weekend series against the Padres. Currently the Dodgers have a five-man rotation which could become seven when McCarthy and Kershaw are ready to come back. Needless to say, there's no rushing either of them at the moment.

Andre Ethier (Lumbar disk herniation): After participating in baseball activities and a sim game at Camelback Ranch last week, Ethier saw his first professional action of the season on Saturday when he batted third in the lineup for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga. Ethier went 0-for-3 as the DH hitter and is expected to rejoin the team when rosters expand in Sept. 

Adrian Gonzalez (Back): Gonzalez is currently in the middle of his 15-game rehab assignment. After four games with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Gonzalez continued his assignment with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga this weekend. Gonzalez played first case for Rancho on Saturday and went 0-for-4 in the two-hole. Gonzalez is expected to return at some point during the Dodgers road trip next weekend.

Yimi Garcia (Right elbow surgery): Garcia was placed on the 60-day disabled list on February 15^th after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He is expected to miss all of the 2017 season, but be back in time for Spring Training of 2018. 

Julio Urias: The 20-year-old pitching phenom underwent shoulder surgery last Tuesday to have his anterior capsule repaired by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. The injury was an acute injury, and is expected to sideline Urias for the next 12-14 months. It's possible that Urias misses the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Urias met with the Dodgers front office during the three-game series in Phoenix to plan out his rehab.

Adam Liberatore: (Left forearm tightness): Liberatore was placed on the disabled list at the end of May and could miss significant time. He was examined by doctors at the beginning of June, and this is his second stint on the DL this season. His return is unknown.

Andrew Toles (Torn right ACL): Toles underwent surgery this week to repair the torn ACL in his right knee after he collided with the short porch in left field trying to preserve a no-hitter for Julio Urias. Toles will miss the remainder of the 2017 season, but is expected to make a full recovery for 2018.

Rob Segedin: (Right toe and right wrist): Rob Segedin is also close to returning after making rehab starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He will also likely stay in Triple-A until rosters expand in Sept. On Friday, Segedin went 1-for-4 with a run scored against former teammate Willie Calhoun and the Round Rock Rangers.

Franklin Gutierrez (Ankylosis spondylitis): Gutierrez was moved to the 60-day disabled list retroactive to June 25^th and it is doubtful, even if healthy, he will return to the team before the end of the season.

Grant Dayton (Neck Stiffness): Dayton has been dealing with neck stiffness all season, and returned to the DL after making a brief relief appearance during the team's nine-game roadtrip. Dayton has been progressing quickly. He threw off themound in a sim game and his expected to make a short rehab appearance before returning to the team sometime next week.

Clayton Kershaw (Lower Back): Kershaw is up to 30-35 pitches in his bullpen sessions and is expected to return sooner than later. Kershaw is going to throw a two-inning simulated game on Monday at Dodger Stadium. He told reporters in Phoenix this week that he expects to make at least one rehab start before returning.

Dodgers Injury Updates are provided each and every week, usually on Friday or Sunday throughout the season.