The Los Angeles Dodgers were able to win the series rubber match against the Washington Nationals, but it turned out to be a painful one for David Peralta.
In the second inning of Sunday’s game, Peralta was checked on by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and head athletic trainer Thomas Albert when there appeared to be some comfort in his right wrist area after a swing.
He stayed in the game, but on the next pitch from Trevor Williams, Peralta was hit on the inside of his left elbow. The 36-year-old dropped his bat and hunched over while he was checked on for a second time before being replaced by Kiké Hernández.
The early testing provided good news, however, as Roberts indicated Peralta is just day-to-day and could be available on Monday for the start of the series against the San Diego Padres, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
Roberts said Peralta had a postgame X-ray that was negative, and that they’ll re-evaluate how he is feeling when they get home.
“Right when I saw it, I saw seams on the elbow, immediate swelling,” Roberts said. “Then after that, from what I hear, the swelling has dissipated. We’ll see if he’s in there tomorrow, but he said he feels pretty good.”
Peralta has played a key role for the Dodgers this season, taking the majority of at-bats against right-handed pitching.
He’s in the midst of an inconsistent offense season, hitting .272/.307/.396 with seven home runs, 20 doubles, 49 RBI, a .315 wOBA, 90 wRC+ and 0.2 WAR, but has still earned the trust of Roberts.
Peralta signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract during the offseason with performance bonuses that could bring the total to $8 million.
Peralta spent the majority of his 10-year career with the Arizona Diamondbacks before a stop with the Tampa Bay Rays last season. He’s hit a combined .280/.336/.452 with 117 home runs, a .337 wOBA and 109 wRC+ with 16.5 WAR.
Mookie Betts returned to Dodgers lineup
While the Dodgers may be without Peralta for a short stint, they were fortunate enough to get Mookie Betts back in the lineup on Sunday. The 30-year-old was dealing with a bone bruise after fouling a ball off his left foot.
Betts was expected to miss the entire series against the Nationals before he surprisingly returned for the series finale.
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