Bud Norris Injury: Updates on Dodgers SP's Back and Return

Scott PolacekJul 31, 2016

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Bud Norris left a July 31 start in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a back injury and has been placed on the disabled list.

It's currently unclear when he'll return to the mound.

Continue for updates.

Norris Hits DL

Saturday, Aug. 6

The Dodgers announced they have recalled pitcher Ross Stripling and placed Norris on the 15-day DL with a mild back strain, retroactive to Aug. 1.

On Friday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reported Stripling will get the start against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.

Norris MRI Results Revealed

Thursday, Aug. 4

Norris' MRI showed he has a strained back muscle, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register, who speculated he'll likely go onto the disabled list. Plunkett added the team is officially calling the injury a mild mid-back strain.

Norris Dealing with Muscle Tightness

Sunday, July 31

The Dodgers shared an image of the pitcher leaving the field Sunday:

Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reported Norris will have to go through a bullpen session before knowing if he'll be able to make his next scheduled start.

Norris pitched a mere 0.1 innings and allowed an earned run and a walk before leaving Sunday’s contest.

Dodgers Need a Healthy Norris Down the Stretch

Ross Stripling entered the game for Norris as a long reliever who can also start and eat up innings. Stripling is a potential candidate to shoulder more of the load until Norris is ready to return because of his ability to serve as a spot starter (eight starts in 2016) or in middle relief.

Los Angeles acquired Norris from the Atlanta Braves via trade in June after it placed ace Clayton Kershaw on the disabled list. What’s more, Alex Wood is on the 60-day DL, which increased the need to add someone such as Norris at the time.

Prior to the injury, Norris had 28 appearances for the Dodgers and Braves this season with a 4.27 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 92 strikeouts in 99 innings. He struggled in 2015 (6.72 ERA for the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres) but was an effective starter in 2014 with a 3.65 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 28 starts for Baltimore.