Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger, Zach McKinstry to return this weekend

LOS ANGELES ― Not since the fifth game of the season has the Dodgers’ lineup featured both Cody Bellinger and Zack McKinstry.

That will change this weekend.

Bellinger will make his long-awaited return from a hairline fracture in his leg on Saturday and start each of the next two games in center field, Manager Dave Roberts said. McKinstry will also return from a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City and debut either Saturday or Sunday, Roberts said. McKinstry hasn’t played since April 20 because of a strained right oblique.

For a time, the fate of the Dodgers’ season appeared to depend on their return from the injured list.

The team was 14-4 when McKinstry suffered his injury, then lost 13 of 17. The Dodgers then ripped off a 13-2 run going into Friday’s game against the Giants. They awoke Friday with a 31-19 record and a chance to move back into first place in the National League West for the first time since April 28.

Getting the two left-handed hitters back “will be great,” Manager Dave Roberts said. “Zach and Cody coming from the IL, you’ve got to build them up, but I do think that giving guys a day here or there … is going to add to the depth of our roster.”

Chris Taylor, Mookie Betts and DJ Peters have gotten the bulk of the playing time in center field in Bellinger’s absence. The 2019 National League MVP was batting .211 (4 for 19) in four games at the time of his injury.

McKinstry was arguably more difficult to replace, since he offered the team an above-average bat while seeing time at four different positions. The rookie held a .296 batting average and .556 slugging percentage at the time of his injury.

Roberts said he anticipated moving McKinstry between left field, right field, second base and third base upon his return.

The additions of Bellinger and McKinstry will have a ripple effect on the rest of the Dodgers’ roster. So will the anticipated returns of outfielder AJ Pollock (left hamstring strain) and pitcher Tony Gonsolin (right shoulder inflammation) from the 10-day IL next week.

Rookies DJ Peters and Sheldon Neuse are perhaps the most vulnerable, since they can be optioned to the minor leagues. Both have played sporadically since they were first summoned from the Dodgers’ alternate site camp in April.

TURNAROUND SEASON

After going 0 for 5 with four strikeouts in his first cup of coffee, Peters was optioned to Triple-A in late April. Since returning, he’s posted a .464 on-base percentage and .500 slugging percentage across 14 games.

“I think he’s a lot more comfortable in his skin as a big-league ballplayer,” Roberts said of Peters. “Definitely has been very consistent. Slowing things down in the box has been good.”

Peters hit his first major league home run in Thursday’s 4-3 victory over the Giants, a moment he called “surreal.” The 25-year-old from Glendora was able to get the ball back and add it to a personal collection that includes his first major league hit.

The difference between his first call-up and his second has been “night and day,” Peters said.

“My first stint when we played the Padres, I was definitely excited,” he said. “I went back down to the minor leagues, learned a lot. … Just to stay within your plan, your approach, do your homework, and don’t miss the pitch they throw you. When you get that one you don’t want to miss it.”

ALSO

Gonsolin retired the first 11 batters he faced in his second rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday. The right-hander ultimately allowed a walk and back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning in El Paso, finishing with three earned runs allowed in 3-2/3 innings. He walked one batter and struck out four on 55 pitches. … Pollock will begin a rehabilitation assignment this weekend with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, Roberts said. The Quakes play four home games over the next five days before the Dodgers begin a road trip in Atlanta. Roberts said Pollock will rejoin the team on the road if he’s able. … The Dodgers’ game in San Francisco on Sept. 5 was selected for a Sunday Night Baseball broadcast by ESPN. The game will begin at 7 p.m. … Giants pitchers Alex Wood and Jake McGee received their 2020 World Series championship rings. Both played for the Dodgers last season.