D-backs’ Christian Walker returns to starting lineup after getting hit in eye

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker will return to the starting lineup after sustaining a hit to the face against the San Diego Padres on Saturday night.

Despite the injury sustained to his eye, Walker is slated to hit third for the D-backs against the Padres on Sunday at Petco Park.

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Walker said he was fine when reporters asked about his status during the pregame Zoom press conference.

“It’s kind of spread out a little but it’s kind of creep down into my cheek and maybe over towards the side,” he said.

“I had the training staff kind of pushing it around trying to get the fluid out of there but yeah, it’s about the same maybe a little bit better but kind of what we expected.”

The injury happened during the bottom of the fourth inning of Saturday night’s 7-0 loss to San Diego.

Second baseman Josh Rojas was fielding a hit by Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. when the ball took an unusual skip on its way to first and hit Walker in the face.

The D-backs take on the Padres in the four-game series finale at 1:10 pm.

Catch all the action on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.