LA being cautious with Ríos; May's usage

October 13th, 2020

Dodgers infielder , reinstated to the National League Championship Series roster after missing the NL Division Series with a left groin strain, said he feels ready to play, but the club is being cautious to avoid a reinjury.

Ríos, who was not in the lineups for Games 1 or 2, said he’s hopeful he will see action as a designated hitter in the NLCS. He was making a cross-body throw during a club workout between the Wild Card Series and DS when he experienced the discomfort.

“When I landed I felt it, really weird, wasn’t sure what happened,” Ríos said. “Each day it’s progressed and it’s healed pretty good. Whenever they think I’m ready to go, I’ll be ready. I know we’ll be a little cautious early, but hopefully soon they’ll let me go. They want to be sure I’m 100 percent.”

Ríos has been doing all baseball drills, including running bases. has been serving as designated hitter against right-handed pitching.

May's usage
has been the pitching staff’s rubber arm since he stepped in on short notice to start Opening Day after was scratched with back spasms.

During the postseason, May has pitched two innings in relief of in Game 1 of the NLDS, opened Game 3 of that series with a scoreless inning and pitched 1 2/3 innings of relief in Game 1 of the NLCS. His next appearance figures to be a start.

“It was always like that," May said. "I never really got super sore as other guys did, was always able to bounce back and able to throw pretty hard on Day 2 and Day 1. It’s just body to body, I was very blessed with recovery.”

Worth noting
• MLB.com’s Jason Beck reports that Dodgers first-base coach George Lombard was interviewed for the Tigers’ vacant managerial job. Lombard was a Tigers outfielder in 2002.

“I have no doubt he’ll be a Major League manager sooner or later,” Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts said.