Dodgers: Logan Forsythe and Adrian Gonzalez begin rehab assignments

Logan Forsythe and Adrian Gonzalez will begin rehab assignments this week for the Dodgers, testing the ability of the front office to continue successful manipulation of the 10-day disabled list.

Forsythe, a second baseman signed in the offseason to provide a gritty spark to the Dodgers, played 14 games before breaking his toe in late April. He was hitting .295 at the time of the injury, compiling a  .748 OPS with five multi-hit games. He is expected to start at designated hitter tonight for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, the Dodgers’ A-ball team.

The progression of his return will be measured, as both his toe and his hamstring have been balky recently. There is no timetable for his return to the big league club, though a successful – and healthy – run with Rancho Cucamonga can expedite his reappearance.

Forsythe was acquired to help the club gain a measure of success against left-handed pitchers, a problem that stymied the offense throughout 2016, especially during the playoffs. His .429 batting average against lefties augurs well for the remainder of the season, though the steady play of Chris Taylor (.940 OPS) will present some difficult decisions for manager Dave Roberts upon Forsythe’s return.

Taylor is versatile and can play the outfield as well, but with Gonzalez’ pending return likely forcing Cody Bellinger to left field, there may not be a roster spot for Taylor.

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Gonzalez’ stay in Rancho Cucamonga is expected to be brief, as he will play seven innings tonight and likely one or two more games before rejoining the Dodgers.

Gonzalez was thoroughly banged up before going on the disabled list for the first time in his career – in addition to elbow inflammation and forearm soreness, he had a left triceps strain and was also playing with a herniated disk he aggravated on a swing in late April.

Farmhand and uber-prospect Cody Bellinger was called up and though he looked overmatched initially, he cranked seven home runs while knocking in 19 runs in his first 19 games with a 1.036 OPS.

Bellinger, expected to be sent down upon the return of Gonzalez, is now being looked upon to take the role vacated by Andrew Toles when the rookie went down with a torn ACL chasing a fly ball during Julio Urias’ no-hit bid earlier this month.

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With Forsythe and Gonzalez due back soon, the ability of the front office to manipulate the disabled list will be tested. They have been masterful thus far giving the pitchers time off between starts with creative, liberal use of the list. Now is the time to see the same machinations with the offense.