SAN DIEGO -- Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson, whose play since an Aug. 19 demotion to Triple-A has been a disappointment, might not be recalled to the Major League club, manager Dave Roberts implied on Sunday.
Pederson was optioned to Oklahoma City when the club acquired outfielder Curtis Granderson. Since then, top outfield prospect Alex Verdugo has been promoted and is getting an extended look in center field as Chris Taylor has moved from center to shortstop with the elbow injury to Corey Seager. Pederson, who had been the Dodgers' starting center fielder, has played left field since his demotion.
"We haven't made a decision yet," Roberts said after a long pause. "I would expect Joc back, I'll leave it at that. I would expect him back, but nothing is set in stone. Nothing is guaranteed. I would expect Joc back."
Pederson was optioned after hitting .215 for the Dodgers with a .747 OPS. Since the option, he is hitting .125 with a .374 OPS (one double, three RBIs). When sent down, club officials said Pederson was working on a new batting stance.
"He got optioned. You've got to play good," Roberts said. "We haven't made a decision. No one has a right to be here because he's been in the big leagues before."
Granderson has delivered four home runs in 14 games since his arrival but with a .122 batting average.