Dodgers activate Lux as Price heads to IL

LOS ANGELES -- Following a taxing four-game series against the Padres, the Dodgers had a busy afternoon on Monday, making several moves in advance of their series opener against the Reds.

Infielder Gavin Lux and right-hander Dennis Santana were both activated from the injured list, while right-hander Mitch White was recalled from the alternate training site. The team’s corresponding moves were placing left-hander David Price on the 10-day IL with a strained hamstring. The Dodgers also optioned DJ Peters and left-hander Garrett Cleavinger to the alternate training site.

Losing Price is yet another blow for the Dodgers’ bullpen, who lost Corey Knebel for several months last week with a right lat strain. Price will be out for at least a few weeks as an MRI revealed a Grade 2 hamstring strain.

Manager Dave Roberts was planning on using Price for multiple innings during Sunday’s loss to San Diego, but the left-hander felt discomfort in the hamstring during his first few pitches of his outing. Price was able to finish the seventh inning, but then Roberts was notified that he couldn’t go any longer.

After sitting out the entire 2020 season, Price was 1-0 with a 5.59 ERA in seven appearances for the Dodgers this season. Despite his inflated earned run average, Price was pitching well. He recorded his first regular-season save earlier this season and followed it up by securing his first win of the season the very next game.

“I think the floor is a few weeks. It just kind of depends how David responds to treatment,” Roberts said. “He’s determined to get back sooner than later, so we’ll see how it plays out.”

But while losing Price hurts the Dodgers, the club welcomes back Lux and Santana. Lux gives the Dodgers another versatile infielder that can play above-average defense at shortstop and second base. That was much-needed now that Zach McKinstry is scheduled to miss a few weeks with an oblique strain.

Lux got off to a strong start this season, but struggled offensively before going down with the wrist injury on April 16. The 23-year-old is hitting .222 after going 1-for-4 with an RBI single in Monday's 5-3 loss to the Reds in 10 innings.

“We have to appreciate how much time he’s missed -- which hasn’t been a ton,” Roberts said prior to the game. “But just seeing how his legs feel. But I do expect him, for this series, to be in there each day.”

Santana also got into the action in the series opener, striking out one in a perfect eighth inning. The Dominican right-hander was placed on the COVID-related IL a couple of days ago after experiencing side effects from a vaccination. He gives the Dodgers a much-needed arm that can handle multiple innings when needed.

White, 26, was called on in the sixth and held the Reds scoreless on one hit and two walks over 1 2/3 innings. He also gives the Dodgers another pitcher who can cover multiple innings as the bullpen aims to regroup following a busy weekend against the Padres. White made two appearances last season, tossing three shutout innings.