ATLANTA — Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado left Sunday’s series finale against the Atlanta Braves with left trunk discomfort, raising concerns about his availability for a crucial stretch run.
The injury to the 35-year-old veteran comes as the Diamondbacks (66-59) fight for a National League Wild Card berth, with a three-game series in Boston beginning Monday.
Arenado grimaced after grounding out to end the top of the fourth inning and was replaced by Ildemaro Vargas at third base. He described the injury as intercostal, involving the muscles between the ribs.
“I’ll probably get an MRI and go from here,” Arenado said. “I am worried.”
Arenado said he first felt discomfort before the at-bat when he bent over to put on his leg guard. He took himself out as a precaution after the pain persisted during his swing.
“I just didn’t want to mess around with it,” Arenado said. “It doesn’t feel great, but we’ll see what happens.”
The eight-time All-Star had belted two home runs — his 19th and 20th of the season — in Arizona’s 10-3 victory on Saturday, marking the ninth time in his career he has reached the 20-homer mark.
“He’s a very tough player. So for him to react that way, there’s concern. Once we figure out what’s going on, we’ll hope it’s the shortest time down. Usually [the diagnosis] is not a great sign. That’s been my experience in this game for the past 30 years.”
— Manager Torey Lovullo
Arenado has not been placed on the injured list. The team scheduled imaging in Boston before deciding on next steps.
Vargas provided a bright spot, homering in both Sunday’s 5-3 loss and Saturday’s blowout win. It marked just the second time in his career that Vargas has homered in consecutive games. He had gone 73 games without a home run before Saturday’s three-run blast.
“He’s like the Energizer Bunny,” Lovullo said. “He doesn’t start and he’s in the cage, stretching and getting loose. We holler for him and three innings later he’s hitting a solo home run.”
The D-backs lost Sunday’s game 5-3 to the Braves after Matt Olson crushed a go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning off reliever Brandyn Garcia. Arizona starter Michael Soroka allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings, while catcher Gabriel Moreno tied the game with a solo homer in the fourth.
Despite the Sunday loss, Arizona took the series two games to one. The D-backs head to Boston to face a red-hot Red Sox squad that has won 27 of its last 30 games.
Should Arenado require time on the injured list, Vargas would likely fill the everyday role. The D-backs could also activate outfielder Jordan Lawlar, who has hit five home runs in four rehab games with Double-A Amarillo.
Source: MLB.com/D-backs News