Dodgers hopeful Pollock can avoid IL

ANAHEIM -- Dodgers outfielder AJ Pollock, who exited Friday’s game with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, felt better Saturday and the team decided to not place him on the injured list. At least not yet.

Pollock suffered the injury in the eighth inning of Friday’s 9-2 loss against the Angels. He was unavailable for Saturday’s game and is being listed as day to day.

“He’s moving around, the soreness really isn’t there,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

With the Dodgers not placing Pollock on the injured list Saturday, the team is hoping the outfielder feels better Sunday. Having the designated-hitter spot in an American League park could help Pollock’s case. If there isn’t significant improvement, the Dodgers have a day off Monday to think things through before making a decision on Pollock before Tuesday’s game against the Mariners.

Pollock has been one of the few hot hitters in the Dodgers’ lineup, hitting .343 with three home runs and a 1.052 OPS in his last 11 games. If the Dodgers have to place him on the IL, it’ll be yet another injury blow for L.A. The Dodgers’ depth has been tested frequently this season and it was on full display Friday as they had to give up the designated hitter just to have another player replace Pollock in the outfield.

If Pollock has to miss time, Luke Raley is the most likely candidate to join the team. Raley is with the team in Anaheim as part of the taxi squad, but can only be activated if Pollock goes on the IL because he was optioned less than 10 days ago.

Matt Beaty started in left field for the Dodgers on Saturday. He also has been one of the few offensive bright spots over the last few weeks.

“AJ is hitting both [lefties and righties] and he’s swinging a hot bat and we’re going to certainly miss him for whatever time that might be,” Roberts said. “But I think Matty has been swinging the bat this last week really well, so to get him out there and get him four at-bats, I like him in left field.”

Roster move

While the Dodgers are still holding off on making a decision regarding Pollock, the team did make a roster move before Saturday’s game against the Angels. Outfielder DJ Peters was recalled and right-hander Edwin Uceta was optioned.

Peters has played in three games this season, going hitless with four strikeouts in five at-bats. He gives the Dodgers another outfield option. He could be an option in the outfield on Sunday with left-hander José Quintana slated to pitch for the Angels.

Uceta, on the other hand, was the odd man out of the bullpen as the Dodgers looked to get back to a full bench. He tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings in Friday’s loss.