Notes: Knebel out for months; injury updates

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers received some more bad injury news on Saturday, as right-hander Corey Knebel was placed on the 10-day injured list and will be out for months, according to manager Dave Roberts.

Knebel, who was removed in the ninth inning of the Dodgers’ 6-1 loss to the Padres on Friday night, was diagnosed with a right lat strain. Roberts said he was unsure of the severity of the strain, but he did say that Knebel will miss significant time.

While Roberts fell short of setting a timetable, but said the expectation is that Knebel will return to the mound this season. He won’t have to undergo surgery. With Knebel going on the injured list, the Dodgers recalled left-hander Garrett Cleavinger.

“I just feel really bad for Corey because it was such a long road for him to get back and he was throwing the heck out of the ball out of the bullpen,” Roberts said. “So to have a speed bump in the middle of the season, I know he’s disappointed.”

Knebel was acquired from the Brewers this winter, and he has been a bright spot for the Dodgers. He had regained some of the form that made him an elite reliever in Milwaukee, and he added a wrinkle with a new grip on his curveball. In a short period of time, the Dodgers trusted him in late-game situations, even handing the ball off to him in the ninth inning to close out the game.

In Knebel’s absence, the Dodgers will turn to David Price, Brusdar Graterol and Scott Alexander in those setup situations. The Dodgers could also be getting closer to getting Joe Kelly back on the mound. Kelly didn’t make an appearance this spring due to an undisclosed injury. Roberts said Kelly would be back in early-to-mid May.

“I still love our bullpen, I still like our arms,” Roberts said. “Guys have to step up.”

More injury updates
Knebel’s injury was the latest big blow to the Dodgers, but it wasn’t the only bad news they received on Saturday.

• Right-hander Dennis Santana is also going on the injured list. Santana received one of his COVID-19 vaccine shots and wasn’t feeling well on Saturday, according to Roberts. Santana has a 7.71 ERA in five appearances this season. The Dodgers didn’t specify which injured list Santana was placed on. In his absence, the Dodgers have called up Matt Beaty.

• Zach McKinstry, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain on Friday, will miss more than 10 days, Roberts said on Saturday. It’s unclear just how much time the 25-year-old rookie will have to miss.

• Chris Taylor has also been sidelined since Tuesday’s game against the Mariners with a lower back injury, and he wasn't available for Saturday night’s game against the Padres. The Dodgers are hoping to have Taylor back in the lineup on Sunday.

• Gavin Lux played in a game at the alternate training site on Friday, and his rehab from a right wrist injury continues to progress. Lux will take more at-bats on Saturday and possibly Sunday. If all goes well, the Dodgers expect to have the infielder back in the lineup on Monday against the Reds.

• Tony Gonsolin (right shoulder inflammation) is throwing from 180 feet, but he is still not throwing off a mound. There’s still no timetable for the right-hander's return.