Joc Pederson Injury: Updates on Dodgers Star's Shoulder and Return

Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson was was placed on the disabled list after bruising his AC joint against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 28. However, he has been cleared to return.

Continue below for updates.

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Pederson Reinstated from DL

Tuesday, July 19

The Dodgers announced they have activated Pederson off the 15-day disabled list.

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Pederson Looking for Consistency at the Plate 

The injury occurred when Pederson made a spectacular catch in center field with the Dodgers holding a two-run lead: 

The young slugger experienced a tale of two halves last season.

He was elected to the All-Star Game and participated in the Home Run Derby after putting up a nice first half in which he hit 22 home runs. But after the All-Star Weekend, Pederson struggled, hitting just five home runs and ending the year with a .210 batting average. He had difficulty just getting the ball in play at times as well, seeing his strikeout total hit 170. 

Pederson went through a span of 13 games to end the month of September when he recorded just three hits.

He and the Dodgers have been looking for new ways to get his bat going. Pederson's practiced with new pitching coaches and made stance tweaks, per Pedro Moura of the Orange County Register. 

Pederson spoke with Moura about his work: "It’s about feel and confidence, and a new feel sometimes brings that confidence back up and puts you in a better position to put together a quality at-bat. Sometimes what you once did great doesn’t feel good, and you’ve gotta go out there and do something to grind that at-bat out."

This season, Pederson was batting just .236 with 13 home runs and 33 RBI prior to the injury.

the 24-year-old has shown over his short time in the league that he has the prospect of power and playmaking ability. 

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.