Los Angeles Dodgers hitting coach Aaron Bates is reportedly returning to the team this weekend for the Dodgers’ road series against the San Diego Padres, per the Orange County Register’s Bill Plunkett.
Bates was absent from the team for two weeks for health-related reasons. The details of those health reasons have not been reported. Minor league hitting coordinator Brent Pill and hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc stepped in to cover Bates during his absence.
Bates has been with the Dodgers organization for several years as both a player and coach. Although he never made an MLB appearance with Los Angeles, the Dodgers signed Bates to a minor league contract in 2014 before ultimately releasing him a year later.