Van Slyke on track for Sunday return

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Tuesday that injured outfielder Scott Van Slyke will appear in rehab games as he attempts to return from a back injury. Van Slyke has been on the 15-day disabled list since May 31.

"At some point he's going to play. What day that is, I don't know," Mattingly said. "But he's going to have to pass whatever test [head trainer Stan Conte] and medical have for him to get to rehab portion of it. His days are getting close. We think he's going to be close to being ready right at 15 days."

Van Slyke is eligible to come off the disable list on Sunday. Mattingly initially thought Van Slyke wouldn't need any rehab games, but playing in the Minors will allow him to test his back in a game situation without coming off the disabled list.

"If he goes out in a rehab game and feels something, then you don't have to wait 15 days," Mattingly said. "But if he feels something here, you have to wait 15 days and the clock starts all over. If he goes somewhere and still feels something, we know we're a few days away, but not 15 days."

As for third baseman Justin Turner, who left Monday's 9-3 win over the D-backs after fouling a pitch off his left kneecap, Mattingly said he was available to pinch-hit but he didn't start.

Video: ARI@LAD: Turner fouls ball off knee, finishes at-bat

"He was stiff today," Mattingly said. "Hopefully, as treatment goes today, hopefully we'll have him in some form tonight, at least pinch-hit or something."

As for the Dodgers' collection of injured pitchers, three are making progress. Brandon League will make his second rehab appearance of the week on Wednesday for Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga. League threw one inning for the Quakes on Sunday, allowing one unearned run. He is returning from right posterior shoulder inflammation.

Joel Peralta will make his first rehab stint at Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday as he's dealing with a pinched nerve in his neck. Peralta has been on the DL since April 26.

Finally, Brandon Beachy will go to extended spring training at Camelback Ranch to throw live batting practice. Beachy has thrown multiple three-inning bullpen sessions and is nearing a rehab outing of his own as he comes back from Tommy John surgery.

"We're starting to think about talking about it," Mattingly said of Beachy going on a rehab outing. "He's getting close."