Rafael Furcal Returns To Dodgers, But Juan Uribe Now Disabled

The article also notes that out of the nine infielders on LA’s 40-man roster, the only one who isn’t on the 25-man roster or the DL is Ivan DeJesus Jr., who is at Albuquerque and who has played in the major leagues this season. The way things are going for the Dodgers, he could be back soon too. The Dodgers finish up their interleague series with the White Sox Sunday afternoon.

So Furcal could begin a minor-league rehab assignment as soon as this Saturday. It won’t be a quick assignment, as Furcal needs to get himself back up to speed and still can’t swing right-handed without a little discomfort, but he’s made a lot of progress and may find his way back into the Dodgers’ lineup within two weeks.

Furcal’s agent, Paul Kinzer, ends retirement talk: “He’ll be back. He’s just frustrated.” Furcal heading to LA to see hand specialist.Though no exact timetable has been reported, broken thumbs can hold hitters back for four to six weeks, with the lingering effects lasting long past the point a hitter returns to the lineup.

Furcal is scheduled to make $11M this year, and he has a club option of $12M for 2012, so he would have left quite a bit of money on the table had he decided to walk away. While the option seems a little rich for a player with Furcal’s injury history, it could still be picked up in a market that should be thin on shortstops.