LOS ANGELES -- Alex Wood's return from the disabled list this weekend will cost Kenta Maeda or Hyun-Jin Ryu a spot in the Dodgers' starting rotation.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on Tuesday said Wood will start either Saturday or Sunday against the Reds, but he was non-committal on which day or whose spot he would take pending internal conversations scheduled for later in the day.
"As far as Saturday or Sunday, Alex will pitch one of those games," said Roberts. "Outside of that, we're trying to figure out how to kind of plug in the other potential options."
Maeda's spot in the rotation comes up on Saturday (he threw a bullpen session on Tuesday) and Ryu's on Sunday. Both have had their struggles this season, with Maeda's ERA at 5.16 and Ryu's at 4.08.
But Ryu's recent form -- including seven innings of four-run ball Monday night -- has been improving, while Maeda has had back-to-back four-inning starts.
Roberts suggested that whoever is removed could "piggyback" as coverage for a short Wood start, something Ryu did spectacularly with a four-inning save of a Maeda win on May 25. Both Maeda and Ryu have had recent stints on the disabled list, so there's always that possibility for resolving a roster spot.
Wood, the National League Pitcher of the Month for May, went on the disabled list on May 27 with inflammation in the SC joint of his sternum. He is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday.
Also on Wednesday, Justin Turner will face Minor League pitchers in a simulated game that could be his final hurdle before being activated, perhaps as soon as Friday with the club off on Thursday. Turner, on the disabled list since May 19 with a strained right hamstring, had a hit in a rehab game for Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga on Monday night.
"Come Friday, we'll make an assessment on how he feels at the plate, if he's got to plan another one or two games," said Roberts. "There's a possibility Friday, but it could also be pushed back a couple of days."
Worth noting
Roberts said the club remains interested in using outfielder Brett Eibner as a pitcher in a lopsided game or just to eat an inning. Roberts said Eibner has thrown six bullpen sessions. Eibner was a reliever in college.