The Los Angeles Dodgers have been without Andy Pages ever since he fractured his left hand on Aug. 21.
He had surgery on his hand a little over a week ago, but is already taking steps toward a return for October, per Dodgers insider David Vassegh.
"Andy Pages is pain free after having surgery on his left hand a little over a week ago," Vassegh wrote on X on Wednesday. "Pages will start swinging a bat in the next couple days beginning the swing progression rehab process."
Pages was an All-Star for the Dodgers this year, posting a .797 OPS in 128 games. He has been one of the best hitters in baseball all season, and losing him was a huge blow. He did not have a good postseason after having a stellar regular season last year. However, this year looked like a redemption year for him before the injury.
The Dodgers would love to have him back in center field on a daily basis, but there's no telling how he will swing the bat following a hand injury. Another issue is that he may not have any minor league games to play in for a rehab assignment by the time he is ready.
Pages has proven to be a good hitter, but would the Dodgers throw him in the fire after missing around a month of games? They may not have a choice. Their offense is ailing, and Pages' bat could be a great addition for October. The Dodgers have the pitching staff to go toe to toe with any team, but they have to be able to score runs, and right now, almost all of their star hitters are scuffling.