Despite fractures in his back, Dodgers outfielder Trayce Thompson hopes to return in September

A recent X-ray examination of Trayce Thompson’s nagging back discovered a pair of fractures, which explained his inability to respond to treatment since landing on the disabled list on July 16.

The Dodgers moved Thompson to the 60-day disabled list on Sunday morning. He is not eligible to play until Sept. 9. Thompson still believes he can help the Dodgers this season.

“I was pretty shocked,” Thompson said. “I knew something was wrong, when I got the MRI. Because the MRI didn’t show anything. They were like ‘Yeah, we don’t really see anything.’ Then I got the X-ray, and I saw it. It was clarity for me, but at the same time, it was disappointing.”

Thompson first experienced discomfort with his back in June. He aggravated the injury on the final day before the All-Star break in July. Now he will wait for the fractures to heal before he can resume baseball activity.

TWO CRITICAL BULLPENS SET FOR TUESDAY

The Dodgers will host a pair of bullpen sessions on Tuesday to determine the composition of the starting rotation this weekend. Rich Hill will test his blistered finger to see if he can start on Friday against Pittsburgh. Brandon McCarthy will throw an early session to see whether he can locate his fastball command, which has been sorely lacking in his last two outings.

McCarthy underwent Tommy John surgery last year. Roberts indicated that both McCarthy and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt believe his problems are mechanical. The Dodgers do not plan to drop McCarthy from the rotation, but Roberts acknowledged: “He’s got to have the confidence that he can be effective.”

McCarthy has lasted 6 2/3 innings in his last two starts, walking five batters in both games. His previous career high for walks in a game was four.

RAVIN ARRIVES AS BLANTON EXITS

Joe Blanton left the team on bereavement leave. He was not expected to rejoin the club until Friday. In his place, the team called up reliever Josh Ravin, who has experienced a turbulent season.

Ravin became ill during spring training and lost about 20 pounds. He broke his non-throwing arm in a car accident in Arizona. In between, he said, he purchased a sports drink designed to help him regain weight. The drink contained Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2, which violated the sport’s performance-enhancing drug policy and triggered an 80-game suspension.

Ravin, a 28-year-old right-hander, struck out seven batters in four innings for triple-A Oklahoma City. He said he has converted his discontent about his situation into fuel on the mound.

“I want to destroy everyone who steps in the box,” Ravin said. “Because I have no other way to take out my anger and frustration.”

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