Martin's return to game action delayed

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Catcher Russell Martin's back injury is lingering longer than the Dodgers thought it would.

Although Martin was able to catch a bullpen session on Monday, he’s still hampered swinging a bat, which is how he developed lower back soreness by overdoing it in the batting cage.

Manager Dave Roberts had hoped for Martin to be ready for designated hitter duty by now, but on Monday said that timetable has been pushed back to Friday or Saturday.

"It's getting better," said Roberts. "It's just not at the point to get him out there. Him, knowing himself and what it takes to get ready for spring, I'm not worried about him receiving. The at-bats, we can accrue at-bats. He hasn't missed as much as you think."

Austin Barnes, whose bat has heated up, is the primary catcher for now. Rocky Gale is the third-string catcher, but Will Smith, Keibert Ruiz and Josh Thole have also been picking up Martin’s playing time.

Dodgers may slow-play Urias

For the second consecutive year, Julio Urías prepared to win a big league job with the Dodgers, and for the second consecutive year management seemingly has other plans. Last year, he was coming off shoulder surgery and he was iced for most of the regular season to be fresh in the postseason, when he became a force.

This year, he’s firing 98 mph fastballs in big league games, but to prevent a spike in innings, he probably won't make the club for Opening Day and a while longer, as management wants him winning games in August, September and October, not April, May and June.

Urias struck out three in two innings in Monday's 8-2 win over the Giants, then addressed the possibility that he will be slow-played, as he and Walker Buehler were last year, starting the season in the Minor Leagues.

"If it's something that happens, I'll be ready," said Urias. "Whatever decision they make, I'll be ready for it."

Urias, 22, said he tries to understand the big picture.

"It's hard to be patient," he said. "All I can do is work hard and try hard. I understand it’s a winning team and there’s a lot of good players here, but the only thing I can do is work hard and do my job."

The one run Urias allowed was a solo homer by Evan Longoria on a 97 mph fastball.

"Fourth one in a row," Urias said with a smile, second-guessing his pitch selection.

Other notes

• Roberts tweaked the lineup by batting Joc Pederson leadoff and dropping AJ Pollock to fifth. Except for shortstop Corey Seager, who is still restricted to Minor League games in his rehab, Roberts started expected regulars.

Roberts said Pollock, historically a leadoff hitter, might lead off against left-handed pitching but be somewhere in the middle of the order against right-handers.

"Guys like Joc or Max Muncy, you could make the case against a righty," said Roberts. "This is just something to get his [Pollock] feet wet with a different look."

• Non-roster infielder Brad Miller, signed last week, said he’s played in a few Minor League camp games and hopes to advance to Major League games later this week. He said he is fully recovered from last year's hip surgery.

• Pedro Báez pitched in a Minor League camp game on Monday, striking out two in a scoreless inning.

Up next

After a day off on Tuesday, the Dodgers resume action on Wednesday night in a home game against Cleveland, with Rich Hill opposing Mike Clevinger at 6:05 p.m. PT.