The Arizona Diamondbacks have a reason to be excited because slugger Christian Walker is returning from the injured list. This season, Walker has been a huge piece for the Diamondbacks, hitting 23 home runs and 71 RBI through 107 games. His return should bring a significant boost to the lineup.
That good news, however, is somewhat offset by the word that Outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is out due to a calf injury. The loss of Gurriel does sting a little bit, but Walker’s return helps soften the blow. Walker has been such an important bat for the club, and his appearance in the lineup could be all that is needed to get things turned around.
Christian Walker’s Return
The return of Christian Walker bolsters the Diamondbacks lineup nicely. He’s been out since July 29 with a left oblique strain, keeping him out for over a month. When he was on the IL, Walker’s big bat in the lineup was dearly missed. Walker’s return should stabilize the team’s offense, particularly in critical games as they try to secure a playoff spot. One of the tight races is for the National League wild-card position, and the D-backs are right in it.
On the other hand, the Diamondbacks had an injury setback with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. heading to the IL. Gurriel sustained a left calf injury running to first base during the sixth inning of Sunday’s 11-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The injury is serious enough to warrant IL designation, with the club still awaiting further imaging to assess its severity.
Entering Tuesday, the Diamondbacks are in second place in the National League wild card standings, half a game behind the San Diego Padres and 2.5 games ahead of the Atlanta Braves. In the dwindling stages of the season, every game is taking on increased importance, including Walker. The D-backs will need all hands on deck against the Giants. Walker’s return may be timely, and they will now have to make up for Gurriel’s absence. Others will have to surge up and ensure that his unavailability is not felt. This, the Diamondbacks need to do to the best of their abilities since the Giants could prove to be a handful.
Looking Ahead
The Diamondbacks will be in strife through these changes and put up a fight to maintain their rich performance. Walker’s return is great news, but they must change the dynamics by adjusting to the absence of Gurriel. Thereby, depth and resilience as a team will be tested over the final three weeks of the regular season.
Concluding on the other side, while the Diamondbacks are thrilled to get Christian Walker back in the fold, the team has to sort out exactly how they are going to play without Lourdes Gurriel Jr. due to a calf injury. It should be the expectation that Christian Walker elevates their lineup now in an important thrust for a playoff berth, but his addition isn’t going to replace Gurriel.
The next games against the Giants will begin a period in which the Diamondbacks hope to stay in the hunt for a postseason appearance. How well the team can adapt and surmount these obstacles determines their outcome in the final stretch of the season.
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