Arizona Diamondbacks Injury News: A.J. Pollock May Start Season on Disabled List
Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock has been out of action since March 8 after suffering a right elbow injury, and while he's been in the field and in action as of late, he only managed eight at-bats for spring training. As a result, there is a possibility that the 28-year old will be starting the season on the disabled list.
CBS Sports reported that Pollock saw action in a minor league game over the weekend and was expected to be evaluated once again, but team manager Chip Hale disclosed the possibility that the former All-Star will eventually have to find himself on the DL, at least for the month of March. "There is always fear, yeah," Hale told Fox Sports. He added that Pollock will need more at-bats to at least get himself comfortable.
The Diamondbacks look to give him as much playing time and at-bats opportunities as possible, but Hale recognizes the possibility that he ends up at DL when he shows he still isn't really to get consistent at-bats every day. And in case that happens, then there will be a weighty issue involving the team's Opening Day lineup. For one, Socrates Brito will be forced to start at center field, which means that a player in the current roster who is slated to play center will be kept for the moment.
Pollock was picked by the Diamondbacks in the first round of the 2009 MLB Draft, but was only called to play for the major league three years later, when he made his debut in April 18, 2012. He eventually got the nod to stay for the rest of the season, totaling 31 appearances and hitting .247, two homers, and eight RBIs. After missing half of the 2014 season due to an injury, he came back strong the year after, where he did enough to become part of the National League team during the All-Star.
