For a while Monday night, when it looked like second baseman Tommy La Stella had injured his right hamstring, there was immediate speculation about whether it would be the impetus for the arrival of Braves prospect Jose Peraza.
But two innings after La Stella left the game against the Dodgers holding his right leg, it was announced that he merely had a hamstring cramp and was expected to return to the lineup Tuesday.
It seems likely that the Braves would wait at least until next season to bring up Peraza, the speedy shortstop/second baseman who has been tearing up the Double-A Southern League since a midseason promotion, but is only 20 and not on the 40-man roster.
Peraza hit .339 with 33 extra-base hits (11 triples, two homers), 60 stolen bases and a .364 on-base percentage in 107 games in Single-A and Double-A before Monday, including a .335 average, .361 OBP and 25 stolen bases in 41 games since being promoted to Double-A Mississippi. He’s one of the youngest players in the Southern League.
The Braves already have utility men Emilio Bonifacio, Ramiro Pena and Phil Gosselin on their bench, and after La Stella’s injury in the second inning, Bonifacio moved from shortstop to second base and Pena entered the game at shortstop.
Bonifacio started the game in place of Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who hasn’t played since spraining his left ankle Tuesday at Seattle. Simmons is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday or Wednesday against the Dodgers.
When Simmons left the game at Seattle and it appeared the 15-day DL was a possibility, there was immediate speculation about whether the Braves might bring up Peraza. The Braves didn’t want to DL Simmons if there was a good chance he’d be ready to return in a week or so.
La Stella left Monday’s game holding the back of his upper right leg after attempting to get to a ground ball to his left in the second inning against the Dodgers.
