LOS ANGELES -- Justin Turner got an early Christmas gift last week when Dr. Neal ElAttrache took away his crutches and cleared the Dodgers third baseman to throw and hit.
"Right now I'm right on schedule," said Turner, who had microfracture left knee surgery on Oct. 21. "I don't think it should be a problem in Spring Training as long as I have no setbacks, and so far I've had no setbacks. So knock on wood, I'll be ready when everybody else is."
Management believes the optimism, having passed on third baseman Todd Frazier last week and instead taking three prospects from the White Sox in a three-team deal.