Los Angeles Dodgers: Three bold predictions for new Dodger, A.J. Pollock
By Jason Reed
2. A.J. Pollock does not surpass 130 games played
I hate doing negative predictions in these bold predictions articles but it is hard to ignore the track record that is there with A.J. Pollock. Pollock, while not entirely his fault, is as injury prone as you can be in the MLB and shouldn’t give any reason to think that the trend won’t continue.
This is not one or two fluke injuries like Justin Turner getting hit in the wrist in Spring Training last season. Pollock has gotten hurt enough that it is a legitimate trend and until the trend breaks, I will believe that it will continue.
Plus the Los Angeles Dodgers don’t have any reasons to want Pollock to get overworked and play in a full season. Knowing his history with injuries the Dodgers are going to be extremely careful with him and take extra precautions.
Even when he is healthy, Dave Roberts is known for usually giving his guys one off-day a week and that is definitely going to be the same for Pollock. Sitting just one out of every six games is already 27 games that Pollock will miss, already bringing his total down to 135.
The Dodgers might not have a true center fielder but they have the flexibility to play Cody Bellinger in center field or even Verdugo and call up Andrew Toles to play right field. There are alternatives to Pollock that can work in the short-term.