LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers' potent lineup will add another weapon in Adrian Gonzalez, who is set to return to the club during the next road trip.
Gonzalez, who has been on the disabled list since June 12 with a herniated disk, will play through Wednesday with Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga. He will "probably" join the Dodgers when they travel to Detroit, manager Dave Roberts said on Saturday. Gonzalez, who is batting .255 with one homer in 49 games, landed on the DL for the first time in his career at the start of the season with elbow soreness.
With the way rookie Cody Bellinger has played this season, the Dodgers don't plan on Gonzalez returning to his everyday role, Roberts said. But with Gonzalez's addition to the roster, there will be more opportunities for the 22-year-old to get a few off-days, Roberts said.
"Obviously, he's going to need to play and stay sharp," Roberts said. "The way we run Chris Taylor out there a lot and Cody out there a lot, there are some days where they can get a day and give Adrian opportunities. We understand that going forward, we're better with Adrian on our ballclub, to what extent we haven't made that decision yet."
Gonzalez, a career .297 hitter against right-handed pitchers, will get his fair share of at-bats against righties Roberts said, but his role going forward is to be determined.
"I think that where he's at in his career and what your body allows you to do, all that he's accomplished as an individual is incredible," Roberts said. "But the one thing he wants to do is win a championship."
Worth noting
• Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will throw another bullpen session on Sunday as he continues to recover from a lower back strain injury. Kershaw completed a bullpen session on Friday, throwing around 35 pitches.
• Besides being a little sore, right-hander Rich Hill is set to make his next start. Hill said he feels fine and was able to go through a normal post-start workout on Saturday, after a fastball from Padres lefty Clayton Richard clipped him on the neck on Friday night.
• Right-hander Chris Hatcher will be activated on Sunday. He has been out with shoulder inflammation that landed him on the DL.