Andy Pages injury creates huge hole in Dodgers lineup: Who will fill it?

The Los Angeles Dodgers will have to regroup after seeing their talented roster lose another key player to injury.

Center fielder Andy Pages suffered a left hand fracture after he took a 100.2 mph sinker, thrown by Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler in the third inning Friday night, to his hand.

Manager Dave Roberts announced after the Dodgers’ 5-4 win against the Pirates on Aug. 21 that Pages' injury was "not season-ending," but he expects the first-time All-Star to be out 4-5 weeks.

Pages is considered the team’s top defensive player, leading the team in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and outfield assists.

Offensively, Pages has produced 80 RBI, 21 home runs and 72 runs this season.

The Dodgers will have to explore options that will not only help the team defensively but also provide another solid bat in the lineup.

The Dodgers called up speedy outfielder Alek Thomas as a replacement for Pages.

“It felt good,” Thomas said before the game about being called up. “It’s been a little while, so I’m super blessed to be back and happy to help the team in any shape or form.”

Thomas recorded his first hit for the Dodgers and produced an RBI, bringing in Kyle Tucker to help make it a 3-2 game against the Pirates on Saturday, Aug. 22.

The Dodgers acquired Thomas in a trade for Jose Requena back on May 12. Thomas had an .855 OPS with the Oklahoma City Comets, the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate.

Welcome to LA, Alek! pic.twitter.com/AjX4JjmPfP

If the Dodgers need to explore other options within their own farm system, Josue De Paula could always be considered.

The 21-year-old outfielder is viewed as the Dodgers' top-ranked minor league prospect. He's among the Texas League leaders in batting average (.314), OPS (.969) and RBI (95) this season.

He also has 24 home runs.

The Dodgers are expected to add another veteran bat to the lineup soon with the return of catcher Will Smith.

He participated in batting practice on Saturday against Shohei Ohtani.

Smith was dealing with an inflamed disc in his neck that’s kept him out of action since June 5.

Smith is expected to be activated from the injured list during the first week of September. He is not expected to join the team for its upcoming road trip against the Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers. 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Andy Pages injury creates huge hole in Dodgers lineup: Who will fill it?