The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Victor Gonzalez from the injured list and optioned DJ Peters to their alternate training site ahead of Wednesday’s series finale against the Cincinnati Reds.
Gonzalez was among the players who were vaccinated after Monday’s game and experienced side effects. He was put on the COVID-19 IL the following night and remained eligible to be activated once symptoms cleared rather than needing to wait the 10 days with a standard IL stint.
Mitch White remains on the IL, also because of symptoms from receiving the vaccination. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was hopeful both players would return for the afternoon matchup, but he acknowledged that wasn’t a guarantee.
“The hope is [Wednesday] they’ll be back, we just don’t know. I think sometimes it can be a day for some guys, sometimes it can be two days,” Roberts said after Tuesday’s loss. “I do anticipate us making a move for [Wednesday’s] roster. I just don’t know right now what it’s going to be.”
Gonzalez has appeared in 10 games this season, pitching to a 2.57 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. He last appeared in the series finale against the San Diego Padres.
The left-hander’s value and importance has further increased in the past week due to Corey Knebel (right lat strain) and David Price (right hamstring strain) both suffering injuries that have sidelined them for the foreseeable future.
Peters accomplishes dream with Dodgers
When the Dodgers needed to put Zach McKinstry on the 10-day IL last week because of a right oblique strain, it created an opportunity for Peters. He was added to the active roster for the first time in his career and made his MLB debut with a pinch-hit appearance.
“I’ve been working my entire life for that one moment,” Peters said. “To put on Dodgers across my chest has been a lifelong dream of mine. And to be able to do it at Dodger Stadium is surreal. You couldn’t have written it any better. Just very grateful, very blessed. Trying to soak it all in.
“It’s definitely something I will never forget. Being a 7-year-old kid in the stands wishing, hoping one day to be able to walk from the on-deck circle to the box and get an at-bat at Dodger Stadium. Like I said, something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”
Unfortunately for the Glendora, Calif., native, it was tough sledding to begin his career. Peters is 0-for-5 with four strikeouts in three games (two starts).
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