After 13 seasons of avoiding the disabled list, Adrian Gonzalez has twice landed on the DL this year. The Los Angeles Dodgers accelerated his return in May because of a season-ending injury to Andrew Toles, but are being more deliberate and cautious a second time around.
Back trouble forced Gonzalez to the DL on June 13 and after that sought multiple opinions on a herniated disc that’s become a chronic issue. Just as with Andre Ethier and Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers were confident surgery was not necessary.
Gonzalez eventually received an epidural injection, which he also took in May 2016 to treat back discomfort.