Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner left Monday night's game with a knee injury after fouling a ball off his leg. The Dodgers tweeted after the game that X-rays came back negative, and Turnder will be day-to-day with a knee contusion.
Justin Turner has a left knee contusion and is day to day. X-rays were negative.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 9, 2015
Turner is likely to avoid a stint on the disabled list, but the scare conjured thoughts of an early debut in the big leagues for prized Cuban import Hector Olivera. The 30-year-old debuted at Double-A Tulsa and reached base three times, but hasn't fared so well since. In three games Olivera is slashing .100/.250/.100, with a .350 OPS. The sample size is small though, and his track record in Cuba is far more convincing.
Olivera missed 2014 with blood clots in his left arm, but in 2013 hit .316 with seven home runs in 73 games. His career slash line in Cuba was .322/.407/.503 with a .910 OPS. Upon arriving in the United States Olivera said he expected he'd need three to four weeks to prepare for MLB competition.
Turner has played well at third base this season, and the Dodgers cleared the way for Olivera by trading away Juan Uribe, the Opening Day third baseman, and acquiring utility man Alberto Callaspo.
In 2015 Turner is slashing .310/.382/.496 in 50 games, while also adding 4.4 runs with his glove at the hot corner. Olivera is expected to wield a potent bat, but his defense is a bit of an unknown. He came to the United States with concerns about his throwing elbow that were serious enough to have a clause in his contract that deals with the potential for Tommy John surgery.
L.A.'s concerns were allayed after a physical, but if Olivera requires Tommy John surgery at any point during his six-year, $62.5 million contract the Dodgers will get a seventh-year team option at just $1 million.
Turner likely avoided a serious injury, but if one should occur to either Turner or Callaspo, expect Olivera to get the call.
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