LOS ANGELES (Azat TV) – The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a dramatic 5-4 walk-off victory in the 10th inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night, but the triumph was quickly overshadowed by a major injury blow to their outfield defense. Center fielder Andy Pages suffered a fractured left hand after being hit by a pitch, an injury expected to sideline the rising star for four to five weeks as the team gears up for the postseason.
The Injury and Its Immediate Impact
According to reports from the Los Angeles Times and The Athletic, the incident occurred during the third inning when Pages was struck by a 100-mph fastball from Pirates starting pitcher Bubba Chandler. The ball hit the outer part of his left hand, just below his pinkie finger. Despite the severe impact, Pages remarkably remained in the game for two more innings before the pain forced him to exit.
This report draws on information published by The New York Times.
In the post-game clubhouse, Pages stood with a massive wrap on his hand, deadpanning in Spanish to reporters that it was “a fastball at 99” that caused the damage. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed the fracture shortly after the game, noting that while the injury is fortunately not season-ending, Pages will likely face a month-long recovery period. “Well, it’s just really unfortunate, obviously,” Roberts said. “It’s not season-ending… So, I would expect him back, knowing him, on the earlier side. I feel for him because he’s having such a good year.”
Defensive Adjustments: Edman and Hernández
The loss of Pages is a significant blow to the Dodgers’ outfield stability. Defensively, Pages has graded out as one of the premier center fielders in Major League Baseball this season. On a roster filled with high-priced superstars, Pages has quietly emerged as a cornerstone, ranking second on the team with a stellar 5.6 bWAR entering Friday’s contest.
To fill the defensive void, Roberts highlighted utility star Tommy Edman and veteran Kiké Hernández as the primary options to handle center field duties. Edman, who delivered the game-winning walk-off single in the 10th inning, is moving much better after undergoing offseason ankle surgery. Edman has extensive experience in center field, having started Games 6 and 7 of last year’s World Series at the position.
“That’s something I really try to take pride in — leaving past at-bats behind me,” Edman said after his clutch hit, which followed an 0-for-3 start to the game. “I think that’s something we do really well overall as a group, and that leads to coming through in big situations like that.”
Roster Reinforcements on the Horizon
Amid the defensive shuffle, the Dodgers are anticipating the return of several key players to help bolster the squad for the October stretch. Catcher Will Smith faced live pitching on Friday for the first time since June, with the front office planning to activate him during the first week of September. Roberts noted that Smith still needs to get his “legs back under him” but fully expects him to be at 100% strength for the postseason.
Additionally, ace Tyler Glasnow is scheduled to be activated during the Dodgers’ upcoming road trip to Atlanta. Roberts confirmed that Glasnow had a highly successful final rehab outing. Meanwhile, two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani threw another bullpen session, with the team planning to have him face live hitters before returning to the mound later this season.
Top prospect Dalton Rushing is also reported to be pain-free and close to facing live pitching, though Roberts noted it is unlikely he will return to catching this season, remaining an option as a designated hitter instead.
The Postseason Chase and Off-Field Calm
The victory against the Pirates pushed the Dodgers to a 78-51 record, marking their fourth consecutive win and signaling an end to a midseason slump that included a sweep by the Colorado Rockies. Right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto set the tone early on Friday, striking out nine batters over 6⅓ sharp innings while allowing only two runs.
The game played out against a backdrop of off-field corporate speculation. Dodgers president Stan Kasten addressed rumors regarding majority owner Mark Walter, firmly stating that the franchise is not for sale despite financial difficulties within Walter’s insurance empire and an ongoing federal inquiry.
With the regular season winding down, the Dodgers remain locked in a tight race to secure one of the top two seeds in the National League, which guarantees a crucial first-round postseason bye. Navigating Pages’ absence will test the depth of the roster, but the imminent return of Smith and Glasnow offers a silver lining as Los Angeles prepares for its October championship run.