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Dodgers Manager Says Injured Outfielder Pagés Could Return for Playoffs

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Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pagés broke a bone in his left hand and has had surgery to fix it. Despite this, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes Pagés's season is "not over yet."

Roberts said he is confident that Pagés could return to the team before the start of the postseason. American media reported that the recovery will probably take about four weeks.

Roberts explained that Pagés will need to get some "realistic at-bats" before he can rejoin the team for real games. This means practicing in game-like situations to make sure his hand is ready.

Meanwhile, another Dodgers player, known as Thomas, has had a strong start since joining the team in May. In his first two games, he recorded a hit and an RBI in both games.

Thomas expressed his gratitude for the chance to join the Dodgers, saying he was thankful to have become "a member" of the team.

The news about Pagés's injury and possible return comes at an important time, as the Dodgers look ahead to the playoffs. Roberts's comments suggest the team hopes to have a full roster ready for the postseason push.

Vocabulary8 words

Dodgers
a baseball team from Los Angeles
surgery
a medical operation to fix a body problem
confident
feeling sure something good will happen
postseason
special games played after the normal season, also called playoffs
realistic
similar to a real situation
hit
when a batter hits the ball well and reaches a base
RBI
a point earned when a player helps a teammate score
playoffs
important games at the end of a season to decide the champion

Quiz

1. What did Dodgers manager Dave Roberts say about Pagés's season?
2. What does Pagés need before returning to real games?
3. How did Thomas perform in his first two games with the Dodgers?

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pagés broke a bone in his left hand and has had _____ to fix it. Despite this, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes Pagés's season is "not over yet."

Roberts said he is _____ that Pagés could return to the team before the start of the _____.

American media reported that the recovery will probably take about four weeks.

Roberts explained that Pagés will need to get some "_____ at-bats" before he can rejoin the team for real games.

Meanwhile, another Dodgers player, known as Thomas, has had a strong start since joining the team in May. In his first two games, he recorded a _____ and an _____ in both games.

Thomas expressed his gratitude for the chance to join the Dodgers, saying he was thankful to have become "a member" of the team.

The news about Pagés's injury and possible return comes at an important time, as the Dodgers look ahead to the _____.

Discussion questions

  1. Why do you think it is important for a team to talk positively about an injured player's chances of returning?
  2. What does it mean for a player to take "realistic at-bats" before returning to real games?
  3. How might a new player's early success, like Thomas's, affect team morale?
  4. Why do teams often plan carefully around the postseason schedule when managing injuries?

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