David Peralta ‘doing everything he can’ to rejoin D-backs’ lineup

PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta has missed most of the month of July as he works his way back from a shoulder issue that has nagged him over the course of the season.

And while it appears Peralta is showing improvement, manager Torey Lovullo isn’t looking to rush him back into the lineup without a clean bill of health and a clear plan of attack.

“David Peralta took another aggressive BP and ran the bases and [we] just want to get through today, make sure he feels good and we’ll figure out what the next steps are,” Lovullo said ahead of Arizona’s matchup with the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.

“It’s trending to some rehab at-bats once we get the right information.”

While the D-backs have compiled a 7-3 record in his absence, Peralta remains an important piece to the team’s success moving forward.

Looking at the roster, Peralta has played 73 games this season — with his last game being July 3 against the Dodgers — yet he is still right up in the top ranks in terms of Arizona batters.

Peralta is ahead of Christian Walker, one of the top performing D-backs of late, in hits with 85, and is tied with Nick Ahmed and Adam Jones, who have played 96 and 88 games, respectively, in RBIs with 44.

The stats show that although he hasn’t played more than 80 games this season, he’s contributing more often than not. Something the D-backs miss, yet don’t want to rush.

“David is doing all he can to get back here as soon as possible,” Lovullo said when asked if Peralta could be on the roster for the upcoming road trip. “He knows what he means to this team.

“I had a lot of good discussions with him so we have a couple patterns we’re talking about, we just got to get through today and make sure he’s all right and then figure out what tomorrow will bring.”

In addition to Peralta, Lovullo touched on a few other players Saturday afternoon, most notably Blake Swihart and Luke Weaver.

“Blake Swihart DH’ed and had four at-bats [Friday night] and felt good and felt fine,” Lovullo said. “He’s going to play the field tonight.

“Super excited he’s healthy and playing every day and that’s what we really wanted to have happen with him.”

Swihart was placed on the 10-day IL due to a strained right oblique on June 1. He’s recorded nine hits, three homers and nine RBIs, averaging .141 from the plate in 30 games played. He’s also scored nine runs.

Weaver, who was placed on the 10-day IL with a right forearm strain, is slowly progressing, per Lovullo.

“Luke Weaver threw out from 90 feet today for five minutes,” the skipper said. “That was increased from 75 feet and he said he felt good so that’s another very good sign.”

In 11 starts this season, the 25-year-old posted a 4-3 record with a 3.03 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 68 strikeouts.

It could be a welcome sight for the team if Weaver can return to his early-season form once back from injury, as fellow starter Taylor Clarke has struggled in his last two starts, lasting only 3.2 innings in each outing.

Starting pitcher Taijuan Walker, who has not stepped on the mound for the D-backs this season as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery, has still not begun his throwing program, according to Lovullo.

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