After signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers prior to the 2023 season, David Peralta became a fixture in the lineup against right-handed pitching.
Peralta had a slow start and finished in another slump, but he was a productive hitter in between. From the start of the season to July 14, he hit .278 with a 102 wRC+. But after that, Peralta batted just .236 with a 58 wRC+.
The 36-year-old continued to play throughout the season and into the playoffs, but two weeks after the Dodgers’ season ended, Peralta revealed he underwent surgery on his left arm.
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Peralta had an injured flexor tendon in his left arm that required surgery, and he played through the issue since around the All-Star break:
Peralta underwent surgery this week to repair a torn flexor tendon in his left elbow, a source told The Athletic, an injury he suffered around the All-Star break.
The news came as a surprise after Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Brandon Gomes said they were not aware of any pending surgeries during their end of season press conference at Dodger Stadium.
Peralta’s injury and the timeline does raise questions as to why he continued playing rather than the Dodgers turning to Chris Taylor, who was swinging the bat well, or giving an extended opportunity to top prospect Michael Busch.
Peralta’s injury also occurred before the trade deadline, which gave the Dodgers an opportunity to find another bat for their lineup, but instead they just decided to add two right-handed hitters to their bench.
Had Peralta continued to hit well, that decision would have been defensible. But he produced well below-average offensive numbers during the second half of the season.
The veteran outfielder, who is a finalist to win a 2023 Gold Glove Award in left field, finished the season hitting .259/.294/.381 with 25 doubles, seven home runs and 55 RBI over 133 games.
What is next for David Peralta?
Peralta previously underwent back surgery during the offseason before signing a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Dodgers.
He’s among the 12 Dodgers who will become a free agent following the conclusion of the World Series. Although Peralta was a great fit in the clubhouse, it’s unlikely he will return to the team as the Dodgers look to upgrade their roster.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
