Dodgers place Tyler White on IL, recall Garlick

MIAMI -- The Dodgers placed infielder Tyler White on the injured list with a right trapezius strain and recalled outfielder Kyle Garlick from Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to Tuesday's series opener against the Marlins at Marlins Park.

"He's been getting treatment on it. It's been bothering him," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "I don't know how much it's impacting or affecting his swing. So for us to just address it, get him on the IL and, hopefully, it'll be something short term."

White, whom the Dodgers acquired on July 25 from the Astros for right-hander Andre Scrubb, had gone 1-for-22 (.045) with two runs, two RBIs, four walks and four strikeouts since joining Los Angeles. He last appeared in Sunday's 9-3 win over the D-backs, going hitless in an at-bat and playing the final three innings at first base in place of Cody Bellinger.

Garlick has shuttled between the Majors and Minors this season. He entered Tuesday with a .216/.275/.432 slash line with two doubles, two homers and four RBIs across 40 plate appearances with the Dodgers. At Triple-A, Garlick posted a .319/.392/.685 slash line with 23 doubles, two triples, 20 homers and a 1.077 OPS.

He went 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored after entering as a pinch-hitter for Joc Pederson in the seventh inning of Tuesday's 15-1 win over the Marlins.

"Tyler didn't make it as an excuse, but you just never know," Roberts said. "He wants to be out there, wants to work through things like most players do. But at least for us to be able to do that, get Garlick here who's played well, and hopefully get Tyler back soon."

Hernandez making progress

Kiké Hernández, on the injured list since July 29 with a joint sprain between his left thumb and forefinger, took live batting practice for the first time on Tuesday. He will do so again on Wednesday before heading to Arizona for rehab games. If all goes well, Hernandez expects to be ready when the Dodgers return home next Tuesday to face the Blue Jays.

"We just want to make sure I can go through whatever you have to go through in the heat of a game. All the possibilities: check swing, swing and miss, whatever it is, to make sure that it's fine," Hernandez said. "Right now, I've been hitting for a little over a week, and it's been fine. But it's not the same when you're taking your 'A' swing in a game and you have to do it over again for a few ABs. Also, the volume, playing back-to-back days, see how my hand responds to that.

"Hopefully, if everything stays on track, and my hand keeps responding the way it has, hopefully I can be active when we get back to L.A."

The Dodgers' Opening Day second baseman, Hernandez is batting .238/.309/.433 with 12 doubles, one triple, 16 homers and 52 RBIs in 98 games this season.

Switching it up

The Dodgers flipped veteran Clayton Kershaw with rookie Dustin May for Tuesday's start following an off-day. According to Roberts, the decision was made simply to give the veteran an extra day.

Since beginning the season on the IL with left shoulder inflammation, Kershaw is 11-2 with a 2.77 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 20 starts.

"The way he takes care of himself, he could've easily went today," Roberts said. "But just where we're at, seeing the calendar, there's really no cost to moving him back a day and just to build in another day of rest for him. We felt good about it. He's actually in as good of a place as he's been at this point in time of year than he has that I can recall."

Worth noting

Alex Verdugo (right oblique strain) is not yet performing baseball activities in Arizona, according to Roberts.