D-backs’ Hale: David Peralta, Chris Owings nearing return from injury
Jul 19, 2016, 3:54 PM | Updated: 4:27 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale looks on against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 9, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Arizona Diamondbacks have dealt with more than their fair share of injuries this season, especially to their outfielders such as A.J. Pollock, David Peralta and Chris Owings.
Chip Hale told Burns and Gambo on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Tuesday that their injury situation in the outfield has led to the inevitable.
“We were taking (Yasmany) Tomas out of games last year for a defensive replacement, but this year Tomas is being put in as a defensive replacement,” Hale said.
Tomas is 44th in the MLB in fielding percentage (.983), which is below the league average of .986. He has committed two errors — fifth most in the National League — in left field this season.
On the bright side, the D-backs can roll back into last year’s defensive strategy soon, as Peralta and Owings are nearing their return to the major leagues.
“David is moving from Mobile to Reno. Owings is playing shortstop tonight, getting some ground ball work,” Hale said during his pregame media availability. “A good case scenario (for a return) would be next Monday or Tuesday.”
In their respective careers in the outfield, Peralta has made six errors in 256 games, Tomas has made five errors in 139 contests and Owings has yet to make an error in 45 appearances.
Pollock, meanwhile, is making strong progress but is still without a timeline for a return.
#Dbacks Hale, meanwhile, raved about Pollock's progress saying "we're very excited that he feels good"; adding "he'll get plenty of games"
— Craig Grialou (@CraigAZSports) July 19, 2016
