Pages returns from IL, solidifying Dodgers' defense just in time for October

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers got their center fielder back on Tuesday, but they aren't expecting Andy Pages to immediately pick up where he left off at the plate. And right now, they don't necessarily need him to.

When Los Angeles activated Pages from the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday’s 7-0 victory in the series opener against the Padres, it brought an end to a month-long absence caused by a fractured left hand.

Eliezer Alfonzo was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.

With just five regular-season games remaining before the postseason, Pages’ primary task isn't carrying the offense. It's solidifying the outfield defense.

Pages sustained the fracture on Aug. 21 and underwent a minor surgical procedure to insert a compression screw, an intervention designed to accelerate the bone's healing process.

Because the Triple-A season concluded over the weekend and the club's injured pitchers were not far enough along to throw live batting practice, Pages prepared primarily with machine work before taking part in a simulated game on Saturday.

In his return on Tuesday, Pages went 0-for-2 and scored a run in the bottom of the second inning on Freddie Freeman's single. While the box score didn't feature fireworks, simply getting back into game action marked a milestone after a four-week layoff.

"Yeah, just super happy to be back on the field," Pages said through interpreter Juan Dorado following the win.

Front-hand fractures are difficult for hitters to bounce back from since the lead hand controls bat path and turn-through at contact.

Before the injury, Pages was having a standout season, batting .272 (including .288 in August) with a .796 OPS and tied with Shohei Ohtani for the team lead with 80 RBIs.

Pages noted after the game that he has been virtually pain-free for about a week or two. To bridge the gap without facing live pitchers during rehab, Pages leaned heavily on the team's Trajekt pitching machines.

"The Trajekt machine has been a part of my daily program," Pages said. "It's been the thing that's helped me. Obviously, being out a month, I'm a little bit not so great or familiar at the plate, but the Trajekt machine helped me be able to come back."

While the Dodgers expect his timing against Major League pitching to take a few games to surface, his defensive value is immediate and undeniable.

According to Statcast metrics on Baseball Savant, Pages ranks in the 94th percentile among qualified defenders with eight outs above average. He has solidified center field into a strength for Los Angeles. In the postseason, where run prevention can dictate close games, a trusted glove in center field is an advantage, regardless of how Pages performs at the plate.

"The defense is a big reason why he’s still a valuable player, even coming off the IL, with the uncertainty of the offense, which we’ll still bet on," manager Dave Roberts said. "But playing a premium position and playing it well is hugely important."

Physically, the team feels comfortable throwing him right back into the fire. While Roberts acknowledged on Saturday that balancing Pages' workload over six straight games would require careful monitoring, he noted on Tuesday that Pages' lower-half conditioning puts him in a good spot to play full games right away.

"I think that I feel good with him playing nine," Roberts said. "He's worked real hard on his lower half, his legs and conditioning. I think right now, the thought is for him to play out each game."