Dodgers Manager Says Injured Outfielder Pagés Could Return for Playoffs

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has expressed confidence that outfielder Andy Pagés could return to action before the start of the postseason, despite a broken bone in his left hand that required surgery.

Roberts told reporters that Pagés's season is "not over yet," signaling optimism about a potential comeback even as American media outlets have estimated that his recovery will take roughly four weeks.

According to Roberts, before Pagés can be reinstated to the active roster, he will need to complete a series of realistic at-bats — practice swings against live pitching that closely simulate real-game conditions — to ensure his hand has fully healed and he is ready to compete at full strength.

The timeline suggests the Dodgers are hopeful Pagés could be available just as the team enters the playoffs, a period when having a full and healthy roster can be decisive for a deep postseason run.

Separately, the Dodgers have also received a boost from a player identified as Thomas, who joined the club in May. Since making his debut, Thomas has recorded a hit and an RBI in each of his first two games, an encouraging start for the newcomer.

Thomas spoke about the experience with visible appreciation, saying he was thankful to have become "a member" of the Dodgers organization. His early production adds depth to a Dodgers lineup that has faced a series of injuries this season.

Roberts's comments come amid ongoing efforts to manage the team's roster carefully in the lead-up to the postseason. While no firm date has been set for Pagés's return, the manager's remarks indicate that the club remains optimistic about reintegrating him before games that matter most.

The situation reflects a broader pattern among contending teams, who often balance caution with urgency when managing injured players ahead of high-stakes playoff baseball. For the Dodgers, both Pagés's potential comeback and Thomas's early contributions represent pieces of a larger effort to field their strongest possible roster as the season reaches its most critical stretch.