LOS ANGELES -- First baseman Adrian Gonzalez returned to the Dodgers in Thursday's 7-2 win over the Marlins, and second baseman John Forsythe isn't far behind.
Gonzalez was activated after his first career stint on the disabled list, which began May 5, and manager Dave Roberts said Gonzalez is "almost 100 percent" after suffering elbow and back ailments. In his first game back, Gonzalez went 1-for-4 with an RBI single. He started at first base and batted sixth.
Forsythe is expected to be activated on Sunday or Tuesday (Monday is an off-day), Roberts said. The second baseman has been on the DL since April 19 with a broken toe and tight hamstring.
To make room for Gonzalez, Scott Van Slyke was optioned back to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Van Slyke was batting only .122 (5-for-41). Finding room for Forsythe will be trickier, as extra infielders Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez are playing well, and Chase Utley is a strong clubhouse presence.
To make sure Gonzalez doesn't go back on the DL, Roberts said he will be mindful of Gonzalez's playing time. Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs in his final rehab game for Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday night.
"He felt he could come back and help us," Roberts said.
Gonzalez is homerless in 105 plate appearances this year, but Roberts believes the injuries explain the power outage.
"I want him to be in the strike zone," Roberts said. "Sometimes, like a lot of hitters, he gets overaggressive and out of the zone. The power will come. He's told me how much better his body feels. I do expect the ball to come off a little bit better, a lot better."
Worth noting
• Roberts said right-hander Kenta Maeda, on the DL since May 11 with left hamstring tightness, will pitch four innings in a rehab start Friday night for Rancho Cucamonga. Roberts said Maeda will be activated next week to face the Cardinals, which most likely will be Thursday, as Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill are tentatively set to start Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Right-hander Brock Stewart, out since Spring Training with shoulder tendinitis, pitched two innings Thursday at extended spring training in his first game of the season. Roberts said Stewart could be used as a starter or reliever once he's built up.