Paul Goldschmidt of the Arizona Diamondbacks is headed back to Phoenix for an MRI on a sore right elbow.
LOS ANGELES – While soreness in his right elbow has lingered for the past week, the injury is not deemed terribly serious. That’s according to Paul Goldschmidt of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who wants to remain in the lineup.
In this case, Goldschmidt, like all players, do not have the last word on injuries, and the Diamondbacks organization took exception. Feeling the effect of soreness for the past week, Goldschmidt told Call to the Pen, sitting in the visitors’ dugout at Dodger Stadium before Monday’s game with L.A., he wants to play and could play through the discomfort.
Taking a conservative and precautionary approach, the Diamondbacks disagreed and sent Goldschmidt back to Phoenix Monday night for an MRI on the elbow. With the procedure slated for Tuesday morning, Goldschmidt is expected to rejoin the team in time for Tuesday’s game with the Dodgers in L.A.
While Goldschmidt pointed out he feared nothing would “pop” in his elbow, he described an overall “weird feeling” surrounding the injury. Telling Call to the Pen that he thought there was little concern, he also indicated the proper avenue was immediate medical attention.
"“They have my best interest and the best interest of the team,” he said. “Sure, I want to play, but don’t be to selfish about it.”"
With the Diamondbacks facing the real possibility of participating in post-season play, the club cannot afford to lose its most valuable player and a strong candidate for the National League’s MVP award. Plus, the timing of the injury comes at inopportune time for the Diamondbacks.
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Coming into Monday’s game, Goldschmidt was hitting .317 with 33 homers and 109 RBI. He is sixth in the Majors with a 5.7 fWAR, behind Jose Altuve (6.6), Anthony Rendon (6.2), Giancarlo Stanton (6.0), Joey Votto (5.9) and Charlie Blackmon.
Among NL players, he is second in OBP (.424), third in RBI (109) and walks (87), fourth in homers (33) and total bases (289), fifth in SLG (.597) and OPS, seventh in average (.314) and tied for 11th in stolen bases (17).
In Monday’s game with the Dodgers, Adam Rosales was in the lineup, playing first and hitting seventh. At this point, manager Torey Lovullo would not say if Goldschmidt is day-to-day, but the first baseman told Call to the Pen he wants his name in the lineup.
"“There is some stiffness in the morning, but that seems to go away,” he said. “Once I get to the ball park and start my game preparation, there is no pain. It’s wired, I do feel a slight pain every once in a while, but in the past few days, it seems better.”"
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Given the stature and value of Goldschmidt to the Diamondbacks, the insistence of an MRI seems, to all parties, a prudent and reasonable approach. Prior to Monday’s game, Lovullo told Call to the Pen the precaution was the only sensible tactic.
"“(Goldschmidt) is too an important player to this team,” he said. “We know we wants to play, and we appreciate that. This has been nagging for the better part of a week, and needs to be addressed.”"