LOS ANGELES -- Entering Saturday with a 21-game lead in the National League West, the Dodgers aren't trying to rush rookie Cody Bellinger back to their lineup. But manager Dave Roberts said Bellinger could return from the 10-day disabled list in Arizona on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old rookie went on the DL on Aug. 22 after suffering a mild ankle sprain while tracking a fly ball against the Tigers and has missed four games. Bellinger, wearing "CodyLove" on his Players Weekend jersey while he cheers on his teammates this weekend at Dodger Stadium, leads the team in homers (34), RBIs (79) and is a front-runner for the National League Rookie of the Year Award.
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Bellinger took batting practice on Saturday for the second straight day. Roberts wasn't sure whether Bellinger was going to do any running but mentioned the first baseman/outfielder had no issues running straight ahead, but running laterally caused some small problems on Friday.
"If all goes well, we'll activate him Wednesday," Roberts said. "And if not, we have the luxury to activate him when he's 100 percent."
Worth noting
• Roberts said he will receive periodic updates on Saturday from Oklahoma City on Clayton Kershaw's rehab outing. If the start goes well, Roberts expects Kershaw to be back next weekend when the team travels to San Diego.
• Injured right-hander Brandon McCarthy will meet the team in Arizona and throw a bullpen session with pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, Roberts said. McCarthy walked three batters in three scoreless innings for Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga on Friday in his first rehab start.
"He was a little discouraged," Roberts said of the walks. "We'll see him in Arizona. It'll be good for Honeycutt to put eyes on him and do a 'pen there. We have no doubt he'll get through it."