Arizona Diamondbacks – Peralta lands on DL for third time

Outfielder David Peralta of the Arizona Diamondbacks says he is not frustrated by repeated trips to the DL

One thing could cannot be said about David Peralta, outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks, is he lacks passion and energy.

Described by his manager Chip Hale as “the heart and soul of this team,” Peralta’s enthusiasm has been tempered and challenged in his year of absence. Coming off a season in which he led the National League in triple and endeared his teammates with continuous burst of energy, Peralta’s season has coming crashing down in periodic trips to the disabled list.

His latest malady was announced prior to Sunday’s home with Milwaukee. Peralta was placed on the DL with right wrist inflammation and discomfort to the lower part of his right arm. From the elbow to the hand, this appendage has been the source of increasingly irritation.

“I would not say it’s frustrating,” Peralta said in the clubhouse prior to Sunday’s game. “This is something I can take and learn. It’s not good for anybody to be on the DL three times in a season, but I’ll take it and learn from the experience.”

This is the second time on the DL with a right wrist injury. Some believe this issue began last Oct. 1 when he injured his right wrist making a diving catch. Peralta opted for a rehab period without surgery, and announced in spring training he was healthy and ready to compete at a high level.

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Then, two weeks into this season, Peralta was hit on the right wrist in two consecutive games by Giants’ reliever Josh Osich, and that resulted on a trip to first trip to the DL this season. Lower back problems began to flare in June and precipitated a second visit to the DL. Now, in early August, Peralta is again inactive for the third time this season. Peralta reinjured his right wrist leaping over the fence to make a catch in a game last week against Washington.

“The goal is get David healthy,” said Hale before Sunday’s game. “This is not a two or three period for him. We want to make sure he’s okay whether it’s sometime in this season or get ready for next season. He brings so much positive energy, and its tough that’s he is not around.”

Team physical Dr. Gary Walewski was scheduled to meet with Peralta Sunday, and outline the future. Surgery could be considered, Peralta admitted, but cautioned when he said, “let’s see what the Doc said, and we’ll move from there.”

To replace Peralta on the 25-man roster, the Arizona Diamondbacks recalled outfielder Socrates Brito from Triple-A Reno, who is just one day removed from the DL with a fractured toe. He expected to play in up-coming games against right-handed pitching.

For now, Peralta seems resigned to his fate, and plans to get back in the line-up as soon as possible.

“I think this is combination of many things,” he said. “Yeah from last season, hit by those pitches early in the season and then my back. I just want to be 100 percent.”

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In 48 games this season, Peralta was hitting .251 (43-for-171) with nine doubles, five triples, four home runs and knocked in 15 runs. This is coming off a .312 season in which Peralta hit 26 doubles, topped the NL with 10 triples, banged out 17 homers and drove in 78 runs.