Dodgers lose NLCS hero Justin Turner to broken wrist, forced to improvise with season approaching

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner suffered a broken left wrist Monday after being hit by a pitch in the first inning of a spring training game against the Oakland A’s.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed the diagnosis with reporters. The Los Angeles Times reports that there won’t be a specific timetable for his recovery until Turner visits with a doctor on Tuesday.

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The Dodgers open their regular season on March 29 with a home series against the San Francisco Giants.

The injury is a difficult blow for the reigning NL champs with games that count approaching fast, but one they are built to withstand.

Turner, 33, hit .322 last season with 21 home runs and 71 RBI in 130 games. He stepped into the national spotlight in the postseason last year with his long hair and giant red beard, earning NLCS MVP honors after hitting .333 with a pair of home runs and seven RBI against the Chicago Cubs.

The modern Dodgers are a team built on depth and versatility, which will allow them a safety net here. With Turner out, Logan Forsythe can shift from second base to third, with some combination of Chase Utley, Enrique Hernandez and Austin Barnes able to play second base. Chris Taylor, their starting center fielder, could even play second base in a pinch.

While we don’t know how long Turner is expected to be out, we do know that broken wrists can lead MLB players to miss 6-to-9 weeks of action, meaning Turner should be on the shelf until May and potentially June.

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