Trayce Thompson sent back to Triple-A by Dodgers

LOS ANGELES >> The Dodgers took their time with Trayce Thompson in spring training, waiting until March 11 before the outfielder saw his first Cactus League at-bats.

Thompson was several months removed from the multiple back fractures that ended his 2016 season and raring to go from the start. But the Dodgers had several healthy, experienced outfielders on their major league roster. Having Thompson ease into the season was a luxury the team could afford.

Now, the regular season is two weeks old. There’s less room for patience.

Thompson, hitless in eight at-bats with three strikeouts, was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City before Sunday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“Where we’re at right now, to get him out there every day is not going to happen,” Manager Dave Roberts said. “To get him down there playing and getting his rhythm, I think, will benefit him. Ultimately it will benefit us.”

A roster move was necessary in order to activate starting pitcher Rich Hill from the 10-day disabled list. Demoting Thompson left the Dodgers with four players - Logan Forsythe, Scott Van Slyke, Kiké Hernandez and Austin Barnes - on their bench and eight pitchers in the bullpen for Sunday’s game.

That configuration might not change, Roberts said, until outfielder Franklin Gutierrez (strained left hamstring) is eligible to return from the 10-day disabled list.

“Franklin is eligible to come off the DL (Friday), so we’ll see where he’s at,” Roberts said. “At that point in time we’ll have to make a move.”

Gutierrez, 34, and Thompson, 26, are both right-handed hitting corner outfielders with power. Unlike Thompson, Gutierrez cannot be optioned to the minors without his permission.

“Every day he seems to be getting better,” Roberts said of Gutierrez. “He’s taking swings in the cage, moving around, says he feels good. He’ll go with us to Arizona (on Thursday), take at-bats at (Camelback Ranch). At that point we’ll know more.”

Thompson began the season at Oklahoma City and went 0 for 13. Between the majors and minors, he’s hitless in 21 at-bats to begin the season.

Gutierrez went 3 for 13 with two doubles prior to his injury.

Forsythe mending

Forsythe had to leave Saturday’s game after four innings due to tightness in his right hamstring. He tested the hamstring in light drills Sunday morning and was cleared to pinch hit against the Diamondbacks.

“As of right now I expect him in the lineup (Monday),” Roberts said.

The injury is less concerning since Forsythe has never needed the disabled list for a right hamstring injury in his career. He appeared in the on-deck circle to pinch hit twice Sunday -- once as a decoy, he said.

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Forsythe has been the Dodgers’ only leadoff hitter against left-handed pitchers this season. Three left-handers are lined up to start the next three games against the Dodgers beginning Monday.

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Roberts said he’s comfortable rolling the same eight starting position players against the three left-handed throwing opponents -- Robbie Ray, Kyle Freeland and Tyler Anderson. “Certain guys, it’s going to be with respect to rest, but for the most part those guys who play against lefties will be out there,” Roberts said. ... Yadier Alvarez, the consensus top pitching prospect in the Dodgers’ organization, was assigned to Class-A Rancho Cucamonga from extended spring training.