Dodgers expect Justin Turner back soon; recall Trayce Thompson in place of injured Franklin Gutierrez

The Dodgers believe they have avoided a serious injury with third baseman Justin Turner, who was not in the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs because of discomfort in his quadriceps.

Turner and manager Dave Roberts expressed the hope that Turner could return to third base for Thursday’s series finale.

“It feels a lot better today,” Turner said. “Hopefully with another day of treatment, I’ll be ready to go tomorrow.”

The team was less fortunate with backup outfielder Franklin Gutierrez, who landed on the 10-day disabled list because of a left hamstring strain. The team recalled outfielder Trayce Thompson to take Gutierrez’s place on the roster.

Roberts indicated Gutierrez’s worst-case scenario would involve a three-week layoff. Gutierrez was hitting .231 in his first six games. Roberts expects Gutierrez to avoid baseball activities until the weekend, at the earliest.

“For us, to have the coverage, it was a no-brainer to put him on the 10 day,” Roberts said.

Thompson was hitless in four games with triple-A Oklahoma City. The Dodgers did not put much importance on such a small sample of at-bats. The team appreciates Thompson’s ability to play all three outfield positions, and he is likely to start against left-handed pitchers.

Thompson hit 13 home runs last season before a stress fracture in his back forced him to the disabled list in July. He did not play again.

As he rehabilitated, he experienced “setbacks” in November and December, he said. The Dodgers did not expect him to be ready to compete in games in early April.

“Once I started to pick up my activity in late January, right before spring training, it really expedited the process tremendously,” Thompson said. “By the end of spring training, I felt like I was normal. Obviously, I’m in a good place now.

“I’m just happy to be back. No pun intended.”

andy.mccullough@latimes.com

Twitter: @McCulloughTimes