CINCINNATI — A phrase infielder Zach McKinstry’s girlfriend would repeat to him day after day became his mantra as he waited on the Dodgers’ bench for a chance to prove himself: ‘‘Today’s the day.’’
Usually, it wasn’t. In his last 24 days with the Dodgers — from the time he returned from a stint on the injured list for neck stiffness to the day he was traded to the Cubs — McKinstry logged seven plate appearances. But the mantra kept him focused as he waited.
