David Peralta has spent nearly his entire career in the National League West, including nine seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks and one currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
But Peralta also made a brief stop with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022 after they acquired the veteran outfielder from the Diamondbacks at the MLB trade deadline.
Peralta ended up appearing in 47 games for the Rays, batting .255/.317/.335. While they weren’t eye-popping numbers, Peralta was a positive presence in the clubhouse.
Peralta also played his 1,000th career MLB game while with the Rays, and they honored that accomplishment this season as he returned to Tropicana Field, via Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Florida:
David Peralta wasn’t here long, but his impact was felt. #Rays gifting the Dodgers OF with a plaque of the lineup card from his 1,000th MLB game last year with @RaysBaseball. Classy. pic.twitter.com/lBfqXb6cHA
— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) May 26, 2023
Peralta’s 1,000th game came against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sept. 22, 2022. While that is an impressive accomplishment for any player, it is perhaps more meaningful for Peralta, who nearly gave up on his dream after playing eight years in the Minors, independent leagues and winter ball.
Peralta batted fifth in the lineup, going 2-for-5 with two RBI and a double to help the Rays earn a 10-5 win over the Blue Jays.
The Dodgers ended up signing Peralta to a one-year, $6.5 million contract this past offseason.
Over the course of his now 1,050 games played, Peralta has hit .279/.336/.453 in 3,728 plate appearances while playing plus-defense in the outfield. With the Dodgers, he has appeared in 42 games, batting .214/.254/.323 in 126 plate appearances.
David Peralta doesn’t feel pressure of Dodgers outfield platoon
Peralta has settled into a mostly everyday role in left field against right-handed pitching, but Jason Heyward sometimes spells him in the lineup, and Trayce Thompson and Chris Taylor have both received starts over Peralta when a left-hander is pitching.
“It’s good if we’re all healthy. Just have to be ready to help the team when you get an opportunity,” Peralta recently answered when asked if he feels an urgency to contribute when he’s in the lineup.
“That’s what I told the manager and all the guys here. I’m just going to be ready for the opportunity. When the opportunity comes, just have to execute. No pressure. We all care about winning.”
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