Nolan Arenado left Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Braves with left trunk discomfort and is expected to undergo further testing.
Nolan Arenado’s strong stretch at the plate was interrupted by an injury scare on Sunday.
The Arizona Diamondbacks' third baseman exited their 5-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves with left trunk discomfort, leaving the team waiting for more information about the severity of the injury.
Arenado appeared to experience the issue during the fourth inning. He noticed something while getting ready for his at-bat and continued to hit, but the discomfort became more noticeable after he put the ball in play.
Arenado grounded out to third base and appeared uncomfortable while running to first. He was then removed from the game, with Ildemaro Vargas taking over at third base for the bottom of the fourth inning.
The Diamondbacks will likely have Arenado undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the injury. The veteran third baseman acknowledged after the game that he was concerned because he had not dealt with this type of soreness before.
The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate for Arizona.
Arenado entered Sunday’s game coming off one of his best performances of the season. He hit two home runs in Arizona’s 10-3 win over Atlanta on Saturday, giving him 20 homers on the season.
Arenado this season has been very productive compared to last season, which saw him have a down season with the St. Louis Cardinals. This ultimately led to him being moved in the offseason, where he would land in Arizona. It would seem the change of scenery has helped him, as he has remained a productive player within Arizona's lineup.
Through 118 games, Arenado is batting .241 with 20 home runs and 62 RBIs. He has also provided Arizona with a dependable presence in the middle of its lineup as the Diamondbacks continue their push for a postseason spot.
That makes his health an important storyline moving forward.
If Arenado is forced to miss time, Arizona could turn to Vargas and Tim Tawa to handle third base duties. Both players have experience at the position and could see increased opportunities if Arenado lands on the Injured List.
The Diamondbacks could also have another option on the way. Jordan Lawlar is currently working his way back from the 60-day Injured List and is nearing a return. While Lawlar has experience playing third base, he has primarily played the outfield during his time in the organization this season.
For now, Arizona will have to wait for the results of Arenado’s testing.
After a two-homer performance on Saturday, the Diamondbacks will hope the injury is minor and that Arenado can avoid an extended absence during an important part of the season.
