The Los Angeles Dodgers will be without All-Star center fielder Andy Pages for the next 4-5 weeks after sustaining a left-hand fracture against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports that Pages will go on the injured list and the team will recall Alek Thomas from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Dodgers acquired the former Arizona OF earlier this year. Has had an .855 OPS with OKC and, most importantly, can play CF.
This was a move anticipated the very minute that manager Dave Roberts revealed Pages’ fracture. Roberts said the main concern was finding someone who could “lock down center field” defensively.
It will be a tight window for Pages to return before the regular season, which ends in five weeks. However, the goal is for the 2026 All-Star to be back in the lineup before the postseason starts. Getting a Wild Card round bye will be critical, as it would buy the 25-year-old a few more days.
Dodgers Recall Alek Thomas After Andy Pages Injury
GettyThe Dodgers have called up Alek Thomas from Triple-A to man center field while Andy Pages recovers from a left hand fracture. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Alek Thomas, 26, was a two-time Gold Glove finalist with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2022 and 2023. The Dodgers acquired the outfielder from Arizona back in May in exchange for 17-year-old prospect Jose Requina.
The Dodgers worked on Thomas’ swing at their Spring Training complex in Glendale, Arizona, before moving him up to Triple-A Oklahoma City. In 54 games with the Comets, he slashed .297/.361/.498 with seven home runs. FanGraphs estimates his offense to be 16% better than the average Pacific Coast League hitter, with a 116 wRC+.
In the immediate term, Thomas should take over the bulk of the center field duties. Arizona had been using him mostly as a platoon bat, starting him against right-handed pitchers, so he should handle a similar role. He can platoon with fourth outfielder Alex Call, a right-handed hitter.
Thomas holds a career .230/.273/.361 slash with 31 home runs for his career. The Dodgers certainly hope for more production out of his bat, as he’s been 27% worse than the average MLB hitter in nearly 1,500 plate appearances.
Much of his value has come from defense, where he’s been worth +6 Defensive Runs Saved and +9 Outs Above Average across 3383.2 innings in center field. Thomas doesn’t have a particularly strong throwing arm, but covers a lot of ground in the outfield.
Dodgers Call Up 26-Year-Old Outfielder Amid Andy Pages Injury News