The Los Angeles Dodgers took a massive hit to their lineup against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dodgers All-Star center fielder Andy Pages exited their game against the Pirates in the fifth inning.
The Dodgers later provided an update on Pages after his exit from the game. The club announced he suffered a “left hand contusion”. This comes after he was hit in the left hand by a Bubba Chandler 100.2 MPH fastball in the third inning.
Pages, 25, is having a breakout year at the plate. The Dodgers center fielder is slashing .272/.358/.458 on the season with 21 home runs and a 119 wRC+ in 127 games. He also provides elite center field defense, rated at +18 Defensive Runs Saved and +9 Outs Above Average.
As a result of his improving bat, Pages moved up to the third spot in the order in their regular lineup.
UPDATE: After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told Jack Harris of the California Post that Andy Pages suffered a fracture in the back of his left hand. Pages is expected to miss at least four weeks.
Dodgers All-Star Andy Pages Exits Pirates Game After HBP
GettyDodgers manager Dave Roberts checks on center fielder Andy Pages after getting hit in the left hand by a pitch. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Any time a hitter takes a pitch, especially a fastball, on the hand or wrist area is always concerning. From the video, courtesy of Dodgers Digest’s Chad Moriyama, it appeared that the ball hit Andy Pages toward the meat part of the hand.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts immediately sprinted out of the dugout to check on his center fielder, along with trainer Travis Albert. Pages convinced both Roberts and Albert to leave him in the game following the hit-by-pitch.
However, he eventually left the game in the top of the fifth. Utility infielder Kike Hernandez replaced him in center field for the rest of the game.
The immediate concern is whether there is a more serious injury. Any sort of fracture in the hand or wrist area would be a problem for the Dodgers. With the postseason just six weeks away, there’s little time for the All-Star center fielder to rehab his injury and get ready.
However, the fact that the Dodgers announced a bruise is a somewhat alleviating development for the club. Pages will likely undergo a battery of tests, which could include an X-ray and MRI, to identify possible fractures.
Dodgers Announce Andy Pages Injury Update During Pirates Game