Joey Gallo was in the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup a fourth consecutive day but came out of his latest start early due to being hit by a pitch in his right elbow.
San Francisco Giants starter Alex Cobb plunked Gallo with a 96 mph pitch in the second inning that appeared to primarily hit his elbow guard. Gallo grabbed at his right arm and winced in pain before walking to first base without any other issue and initially remained in the game.
Miguel Vargas was on deck to pinch-hit for Gallo in the bottom of third inning, and although his spot in the order didn’t come up, the Dodgers prospect took over in left field to start the fourth.
Gallo underwent an X-ray on his right elbow that came back negative. “He got squared up, it was 95-96 (mph) on the elbow, even with the pad,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the 7-3 win over Giants.
“But x-ray was negative. He just said he couldn’t feel his fingers and there was some tingling in there, so that’s why we took him out of the game.”
Gallo made just the one plate appearance prior to being removed.
What role will Joey Gallo have in postseason?
The Dodgers have made a concerted effort to have Gallo face right-handed pitching only, which suggests he could be in line for a platoon role come the postseason.
However, that would potentially require Trayce Thompson to sit against righties, which his reverse splits would suggest being the best course of action.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has repeatedly said evaluations will continue over the final month of the regular season and players who put the team in the best position to win will get the nod in the playoffs.
Gallo has hit .203/.320/.469 with three doubles, one triple, four home runs and 13 RBI over 25 games (21 starts) since being traded to the Dodgers.
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