D-backs’ Christian Walker done for season after taking pitch to face

Sep 25, 2018, 3:33 PM | Updated: 9:45 pm

Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker (53) is attended to by head athletic trainer Bryan DiPanfilo, left, after Walker was hit in the face by a pitch during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. The Dodgers defeated the Diamondbacks 7-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

BY MATT LAYMAN

Arizona Sports

The Diamondbacks will be without Christian Walker for the remaining five games of their season after the first baseman took a pitch to the face in Monday night’s loss to the Dodgers.

Walker’s injury — and its consequence that he’ll be out for the rest of the year — was made known by Torey Lovullo as he joined Burns & Gambo on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station on Tuesday.

“We are just getting word, he is going to be done for the season,” Lovullo said. “He’s fractured some bones in his face and we’re getting some secondary looks at it to find out exactly what the extent [was]. Very unfortunate news, that’s as much of an update as I have.”

Walker has played 37 games for the Diamondbacks in 2018, coming up to the big league club for multiple stints throughout the year. He’s hit .163 in 53 plate appearances with three home runs, six RBI, two doubles and a stolen base. His OPS is .614. He hits left-handed pitching well, doing so with a .783 OPS and five home runs in 54 career at bats.

Christian Walker sustained a sinus fracture and will not return to game action this season.

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 25, 2018

“He came in here and had some real live at bats for us. He actually hit Clayton Kershaw very, very well so that’s why he got the start [Monday],” Lovullo said. “Just a very unfortunate way to end the season, but those things happen in sports and I know that he’ll re-group and be ready for next year.”

Video tweeted by Fox Sports Arizona showed Walker spitting blood after being hit by that pitch.

“By the time I got out there, he was answering questions and he never lost consciousness,” Lovullo said. “So those are the things that you’re obviously always concerned about. And then the next step is, you’re trying to assess the damage.

“I saw the blood, it didn’t looked good and it was from the nostrils so you knew something internal was happening. We were just holding our breath until we got the word last night that he’s going to be okay, we’re thankful for that, but those broken bones are going to end his season.”

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Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) gets a visit from catcher John Ryan Murphy, left, and shortstop Nick Ahmed (13) during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' David Freese connects for a run-scoring single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Chris Taylor (3) celebrates his run scored against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Manny Machado (8) during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Eduardo Escobar (14) celebrates his run scored against the Los Angeles Dodgers with David Peralta, left, and manager Torey Lovullo (17) during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker (53) scoops up a low throw to get out Los Angeles Dodgers' Justin Turner (10) at first during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Enrique Hernandez pauses at home plate after striking out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw, left, walks around the mound after giving up a home run to Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte, right, during the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte points to the crowd as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' David Freese (25) celebrates his home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Enrique Hernandez (14) during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte, left, looks to the sky as he arrives at first base with a single as first base coach Dave McKay (39) reaches out to slap hands with Marte during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker, right, gets off balance while striking out as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, left, reaches over to tag Walker during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Tim Locastro (70) slides across home plate to score a run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Yasiel Puig celebrates his run scored against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Kenta Maeda (18) looks in to check on Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker (53) after hitting Walker with a pitch as Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17), third base coach Tony Perezchica (8) and Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes (15) all look on during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. The Dodgers defeated the Diamondbacks 7-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Chase Utley (26) scores a run on a wild pitch by Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano (66), of Japan, during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. The Dodgers defeated the Diamondbacks 7-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Joc Pederson (31) argues with umpire Joe West, left, after Pederson was thrown out during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. The Dodgers defeated the Diamondbacks 7-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Kenta Maeda, of Japan, throws a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. The Dodgers defeated the Diamondbacks 7-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' pitcher Kenta Maeda, of Japan, reacts after hitting Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker in the face with a pitch during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. The Dodgers defeated the Diamondbacks 7-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano (66), of Japan, throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. The Dodgers defeated the Diamondbacks 7-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Alex Verdugo (61) jumps in vain for home run hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' A.J. Pollock during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. The Dodgers defeated the Diamondbacks 7-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker (53) is attended to by head athletic trainer Bryan DiPanfilo, left, after Walker was hit in the face by a pitch during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. The Dodgers defeated the Diamondbacks 7-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray delivers against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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