The Arizona Diamondbacks have announced that centerfielder A.J. Pollock will miss some significant time due to a fractured right elbow.
Chip Hale says A.J. Pollock suffered a fractured right elbow and will require surgery.
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 2, 2016
Pollock received the injury while sliding into home plate on Friday in a Spring Training game against the Kansas City Royals. He hit .315 with 20 homers and stole 39 bases in 2015 en route to his first all-star nod and Gold Glove Award.
The 28-year-old was expected to remain a staple at the top of the Arizona lineup. Were this a year ago, Ender Inicarte would be slotted in Pollock’s spot. With Inciarte currently roaming centerfield for the Atlanta Braves, the DBacks will have to mix and match outfielders during Pollock’s absence.
Yasmany Tomas will most likely remain in the corner spots, as he accounted for -8 defensive runs saved in the outfield last season. David Peralta could see some time in center during the season, but only appeared in one game there in 2015. Peralta is coming off a season in which he hit .312 with 17 homers and an .893 OPS.
Other candidates to round out the DBacks’ outfield include Socrates Brito and Peter O’Brien. Brito, who has played all three outfield positions in his minor league career, hit .288 in AA last season with 13 homers and his hitting .317 this spring. O’Brien has split time between first base, catcher and the outfield corners in his career, but has a bat that may force its way into the lineup. He hit 31 homers and drove in 116 runs in AAA in 2015 and has five longballs this spring.
One of Pollock’s teammates and his alma mater reacted on Twitter shortly after the news broke.
Sick for A.J. Praying for quick healing. This team will come together and persevere – that’s what family does in tough times.
— Brad Ziegler (@BradZiegler) April 2, 2016
Former ND All-American & current @Dbacks star A.J. Pollock will have surgery for injured elbow.
Get well soon A.J.! pic.twitter.com/fhX18Z0SgV
— Notre Dame Baseball (@NDBaseball) April 2, 2016
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