LOS ANGELES _ Justin Turner is expected to make his season debut next weekend in Washington, eight weeks after his left wrist was broken by a wayward fastball.
In his absence, the Los Angeles Dodgers have tumbled down the standings in the National League West, closer to last place than first. As the Dodgers prepare to welcome back their All-Star third baseman and offensive leader, Turner cautions fans that he is not a season savior.
"I don't think any one guy coming back is going to flip a magic switch and make us win," he said.
Turner played in the first of two scheduled simulated games Wednesday at Dodger Stadium, wearing a "Kenleyfornia Love" T-shirt. He is expected to go on a brief minor league rehabilitation assignment, but manager Dave Roberts said he would trust Turner to decide how long that assignment should last. Roberts said Turner could help at the major league level even as he rounds into top form.
"Once he's in our lineup, there's a presence there," Roberts said, "defensively and in the batter's box."
Turner said his greatest concern with his wrist is neither hitting nor fielding.
"It might sound weird, but probably sliding," Turner said. "I slide with my left hand down. Sometimes I put my hand in the ground. ... I'm going to have to make a concentrated effort to make sure I don't stick my hand in the ground and jam up my wrist."
The Dodgers, in pursuit of their sixth consecutive NL West title, activated outfielder Yasiel Puig on Wednesday. By the time they play their next homestand, they also could get Turner, pitcher Clayton Kershaw and infielder Logan Forsythe back from the disabled list.
"We're not going to have (shortstop) Corey (Seager) for the rest of the year, so we're never going to be completely whole from the team we hoped to have," Turner said. "Hopefully, we get everyone out there and things start clicking."
Turner alone cannot turn the season around, according to Turner.
"I understand that it doesn't work like that," he said. "One guy is not going to make a difference. It's about 25 guys contributing. That's why we were so good last year."
