Dodgers Expect Andy Pages Back For Tuesday’s Series Opener
The Dodgers expect to have Andy Pages back in their lineup when they open their final regular-season home series Tuesday against the San Diego Padres.
Dave Roberts indicated that Pages is expected to be activated before the series opener after missing 27 games with a broken left hand.
The corresponding roster transaction has not been announced, so Pages’ return is not official. Barring a setback or change in plans, however, the Dodgers expect him to be available Tuesday night.
Los Angeles and San Diego are scheduled to begin the three-game series at 8:10 p.m. MDT.
Pages Has Been Out Since August
Pages suffered the fracture when a fastball hit his left hand during an August 21 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
He initially remained in the game before leaving two innings later. Additional testing revealed the fracture, and Pages was placed on the injured list the following day.
The initial estimate called for him to miss approximately four to five weeks. A return Tuesday would place him near the front end of that timetable.
Pages progressed from dry swings to hitting work during his recovery and said Friday that he hoped to return for the beginning of the Padres series. The Dodgers now share that expectation.
Dodgers Regain Their Starting Center Fielder
Pages’ return would restore the Dodgers’ primary center fielder shortly before the postseason.
The 25-year-old was enjoying the best season of his career before the injury, batting .272 with 21 home runs and 80 RBIs across 128 games. He also earned his first All-Star selection while developing into one of the Dodgers’ most productive two-way players.
Pages started 125 of the team’s first 129 games in center field, providing stability at a position the Dodgers have filled with several different players during his absence.
Getting him back should allow Roberts to construct the outfield around its regular center fielder again while determining how the rest of the group fits into the postseason lineup.
Pages Will Have Limited Time To Prepare For October
If Pages is activated Tuesday, he will have six regular-season games available to regain his timing before the postseason.
That does not provide much room for a slow build, but the Dodgers also do not need him to immediately carry the offense. The priority will be confirming that he can swing without discomfort, handle the demands of center field and arrive in October prepared for regular playing time.
Los Angeles has already clinched the National League West but is still competing for a first-round bye. That gives Pages an opportunity to test himself in meaningful games rather than treating the final week strictly as a rehabilitation period.
Tuesday’s expected return remains dependent on the Dodgers completing the roster move.
If everything proceeds as planned, Pages will rejoin the lineup against San Diego with one week left to prepare for postseason baseball.