LOS ANGELES _ A.J. Pollock wasn't in the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup for the third consecutive game Wednesday as he nursed a sore groin, but he made a pinch-hit appearance in the eighth inning and manager Dave Roberts said the outfielder is expected to start Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Pollock, 31, has appeared in only 46 games after signing a four-year, $60 million contract in the offseason. He has dealt with groin injuries in previous years. The latest trouble surfaced Aug. 1. He sat out the next two games before returning to hit a double and home run Sunday. He hasn't started since.
"The groin has always been something that he's kind of had to deal with when he's come back," Roberts said. "And so knowing the history and knowing where he's at right now, just to make sure that we do everything we can to get him back to complete health. But it's really not a concern, just more being extra cautious."
Pollock struggled in April before suffering an elbow infection that sidelined him for more than two months. Since returning July 12, the first game after the All-Star break, he is batting .313 with six home runs and a 1.000 on-base-plus-slugging percentage in 18 games.
With Alex Verdugo on the injured list because of an oblique strain, Cody Bellinger made his first start in center field this season in Pollock's place.
