Taylor returns with pinch-hit homer
LOS ANGELES -- Chris Taylor was out of the starting lineup for the third straight game with a hamstring injury on Monday night, but he returned to action with a pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning of the Dodgers' 2-1 win over the Cubs at Dodger Stadium.
The plate appearance came as a surprise, as manager Dave Roberts suggested pregame that Taylor was likely to miss Tuesday's contest as well, unless he displayed significant improvement.
"With [Taylor] and the time that we've taken with him, we really don't want to have any setbacks," Roberts said. "I think the luxury of having [Hernandez] playing well, something really extreme, great improvement and convincing [improvement] would have to happen for him to be in the lineup tomorrow."
Injury updates: Buehler, Kershaw, more
• Right-hander Walker Buehler threw a bullpen session on Sunday, Roberts said. Buehler has been on the disabled list since June 12 with a rib fracture. He will throw another bullpen session before the next step in his rehab is determined.
• Roberts confirmed that left-hander Clayton Kershaw is penciled in to start against the Cubs on Thursday. Kershaw lasted three innings against the Mets on Saturday in his first start since going on the DL with lower back discomfort on June 1.
• Lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu, placed on the DL June 2 with a left groin strain, is expected to throw from a mound soon, Roberts said.
• Right-hander Pedro Baez, who's been on the DL since June 15 with biceps tendinitis, was in the Dodgers' clubhouse on Monday. Roberts said Baez is making good progress in his rehab and will throw a bullpen session soon.
• Left-hander Tony Cingrani, who hit the DL on June 7 with a left shoulder strain, is tracking in the right direction, according to Roberts.
• Left-hander Julio Urias is expected to throw two bullpen sessions this week. There is currently no timetable for the return of Urias, who has been on the DL all season following offseason shoulder surgery. The Dodgers are very encouraged by his progress.
"Still, obviously, a build-up that needs to take place," Roberts said. "But from everything I hear, Julio is checking a lot of boxes."