The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Trayce Thompson on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain and recalled Jonny DeLuca from Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to their series finale against the New York Yankees on Sunday.
Manager Dave Roberts said Thompson sustained the injury on a check swing during his only at-bat as a pinch hitter in Saturday’s loss. The 32-year-old ended up drawing a walk but did not remain in the game as a defensive replacement, which required J.D. Martinez to play left field for the first time this season.
That also resulted in the Dodgers losing the designated hitter spot from their lineup and it eventually led to Austin Barnes pinch-hitting in the bottom of the ninth inning.
DeLuca, the Dodgers’ No. 20 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, is up in the big leagues for the first time in his career. He was selected by the Dodgers in the 25th round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of the University of Oregon.
DeLuca began the season at Double-A Tulsa but earned a promotion to OKC, where he has posted a .945 on-base plus slugging percentage in 16 games.
Overall between the two Minor League levels, the 24-year-old is hitting .297/.378/.583 with 11 doubles, one triple, 14 home runs, 37 RBI, 40 runs scored and 12 stolen bases.
Dave Roberts disappointed for Trayce Thompson
Thompson has struggled to the tune of a .155/.310/.366 slash line in 36 games this season, but more recently was swinging a hot bat. He was 4-for-his-last-6 with a home run, two RBI and two walks since ending a historic 0-for-39 drought against the Tampa Bay Rays.
“It is frustrating,” Roberts said of the timing with Thompson’s oblique injury. “I feel for him. He took a good at-bat right there and I was looking forward to him playing on Wednesday in Cincinnati. Now we’ve got to re-assess, but I’m sure he’s really disappointed.”
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