Leake aggravates old wrist fracture chasing dog

February 13th, 2020

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- ’s fracture on his left (non-throwing) wrist may have been officially diagnosed following an MRI on Wednesday, but it’s believed the D-backs’ starting pitcher had it for quite some time.

“What it [told] me is I had a fracture before, so I guess I’ve been playing with it,” Leake said Thursday of the test. “It’s been reaggravated. Hopefully, two weeks can make it feel normal. It won’t be full strength, but we’re going to do our best to heal the bone.”

Leake, 32, said he aggravated a previous left wrist fracture from his childhood when he recently fell while chasing his dog.

“Yeah, so I was chasing the dog, slipped and landed on the basketball court,” Leake said. “He was a little disobedient to my other dog, so I had to chase after him.”

The plan is for Leake to rest the wrist for two weeks. He can still play catch during that time, but he won’t be able to swing a bat or catch return throws.

The D-backs expect Leake to be ready when the regular season begins. Acquired from the Mariners at the Trade Deadline last year, Leake was 12-11 with a 4.29 ERA in 32 starts overall.

Coming into camp, Leake was projected to be among Arizona’s season-opening rotation.

“He’s a very tough player,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “We all appreciate that. For two weeks, we’re going to try and get some range of motion back in that area and get it strong.”

Telling it straight
Neither Lovullo nor general manager Mike Hazen have said specifically which starting pitchers have a spot locked up in the rotation and which have to have a good spring in order to make it, but they have been more forthcoming with the individual pitchers.

Lovullo and Hazen have met with the pitchers to explain to them their individual situations.

Leake’s injury did not change the tenor of those conversations.

“These guys will know where they stand regardless of Mike’s situation,” Lovullo said.

No ’pens
D-backs pitchers focused on fundamentals Thursday without any of the pitching groups throwing bullpen sessions.

One of the two pitching groups threw bullpens Wednesday and the other will do so Friday. Newly acquired lefty is one of those who will throw Friday.

Up next
The D-backs are expected to begin their workout Friday at 9:45 a.m. MT. Admission is free, and fans can park in the Desert Lot.