Diamondbacks' David Peralta pointing to Monday return
SAN FRANCISCO – David Peralta was initially hoping he could return to the lineup for tonight's series opener against the San Diego Padres, but the Diamondbacks outfielder said Thursday that might have been a little too optimistic.
In the past few days, he has slowly begun to ramp up his activities and now thinks Monday is probably a more realistic return date.
"We moved to the next step (on Thursday) and ran harder, played catch, hit off the tee and soft toss," Peralta said. "I'm feeling good."
He said he probably will undergo an MRI on his back today "just to make sure everything is OK."
Manager Kirk Gibson said Peralta's absence from the lineup has been difficult for the Diamondbacks, particularly when it comes to facing right-handed pitchers who struggle against lefties — that is, just the type of starting pitchers the team has faced in recent games.
But, assuming the injury isn't serious, Gibson thinks Peralta could use this as a learning opportunity.
"He's played a lot of games for him, maybe the most he's played," Gibson said.
"It's part of it, learning how to understand your body, when to push and when not to push. How to keep yourself healthy — there's a lesson in that."
Peralta has played 133 games — 80 in the majors, 53 in the minors — which is, in fact, the most in his career. The most he played previously was in 2012 when he played 98 games for an independent league team.
Hudson update
The Diamondbacks continue to keep right-hander Daniel Hudson on a regimented schedule in his first weeks back in the majors following back-to-back Tommy John surgeries.
Hudson made two appearances on this road trip — on Sept. 3 in San Diego and Saturday in Los Angeles — and Gibson said Hudson threw a bullpen session on Wednesday night at AT&T Park.
That session, Gibson said, basically counts as a game, and Hudson won't pitch again for at least another couple of days.
"I think you've got to keep on the rehab schedule and not push him too hard from this point on and try to get him to go into the offseason healthy, shut him down and then get ready for spring training," Gibson said.
Short hops
The official scorer from Wednesday night's game changed Brandon Crawford's infield single in the seventh inning to an error on Diamondbacks first baseman Mark Trumbo, resulting in an unearned run for left-hander Oliver Perez.
• After taking three of four games from Bakersfield in the semifinals, the Diamondbacks' High-A Visalia affiliate will face Lancaster in the California League championship series.
Game 1 was scheduled for Thursday night.
Up next
Padres at D-Backs
When: Friday at 6:40 p.m.
Where: Chase Field, Phoenix (roof hotline 602-462-6262)
TV/radio: FSAZ/ KMVP-FM 98.7, KTAR-AM 620, KSUN-AM 1400
Pitching matchup: LHP Vidal Nuño (0-5, 3.16) vs. LHP Eric Stults (6-16, 4.55)
Notable: For the fifth consecutive start, Nuño gave up two runs or fewer on Friday against the Dodgers and yet again came away without a win. … He has made 11 starts since coming to the Diamondbacks in early July and has yet to be the winning pitcher. … Nuño gave up two runs in 7 1/3 innings against the Padres last week. … Stults has been pitching fairly well, owning a 2.79 ERA in 42 innings over his past seven starts. … C Miguel Montero has four doubles, two homers and is 6 for 22 against Stults in his career.
Upcoming pitchers
Saturday: At Chase Field, 5:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Chase Anderson (8-6, 3.71) vs. Padres RHP Tyson Ross (13-13, 2.66).
Sunday: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Trevor Cahill (3-11, 5.04) vs. Padres RHP Odrisamer Despaigne (3-6, 3.55).
Monday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Wade Miley (7-11, 4.28) vs. Giants RHP Ryan Vogelsong (8-10, 3.90).