The Los Angeles Dodgers pitching staff has been decimated by injuries throughout the season, which Anthony Banda added onto amid a moment of frustration.
Banda was put on the 15-day injured list with a fractured left hand before their Sept. 10 game. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained the injury stemmed from Banda being upset over his performance the night prior.
“It was a moment of weakness and frustration. Where he decided to take on a solid object that ultimately won the battle,” Roberts said.
Banda now has clarified frustration didn’t boil over to the point of throwing a punch against the wall, which many assumed was the case, but rather the hairline fracture came about partly due to bad luck, via Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:
“I didn’t punch anything,” Banda, 31, said. “I hit the outside of my fist against a paper towel dispenser out of frustration, and apparently, I hit the weakest bone just right, to where it fractured.
“I’m not saying that’s OK to do, but it’s not as bad as what people thought as far as me punching something straight on. I don’t do that with anything, because there’s a risk. I look at it as more of a freak accident, but yes, it was a learning experience.”
Fortunately for Banda and the Dodgers, the hairline fracture was not a season-ending injury. He took a brief stretch off before playing catch and threw a second bullpen session over the weekend.
That has him on track to be activated this week, potentially as soon as Wednesday during their series against the San Diego Padres.
Banda is 2-2 with a 3.23 ERA across 46 appearances for the Dodgers this season. The 31-year-old has 50 strikeouts in 47.1 innings pitched while limiting opponents to a .247 batting average.
The Dodgers acquired Banda rom the Cleveland Guardians on May 17 in exchange for cash considerations.
What Anthony Banda means to Dodgers bullpen
Not having Banda available effectively resulted in Alex Vesia being only left-handed relief pitcher in the Dodgers bullpen. Zach Logue did spend some time up with the team and not only struggled, but also isn’t an option to fill a key role like Banda.
Getting him back in time for the start of the postseason will be key for a Dodgers pitching staff that already is facing an uphill battle heading into October.
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