MILWAUKEE -- Freddy Peralta’s opening week has been just perfect, from the birth of his son on the eve of Opening Day to his six scoreless innings in his first career assignment in a home opener, to watching Brice Turang’s mother shed tears of joy during Monday afternoon's 10-0 Brewers win over the Mets at American Family Field.
“There was a moment during today's game that I was about to cry,” Peralta said. “When [Turang] hit the home run, he reminded me of my mom at my debut. It was crazy.”
Peralta’s family was on hand again for a promising 2023 debut for the 26-year-old right-hander, who scattered two hits and three walks while striking out seven in his comeback from a 2022 season marred by a shoulder injury. Peralta was limited to 78 innings last season but had a healthy spring that gives the Brewers high hopes he’ll be a big part of a starting rotation that represents the team’s runaway strength.
He might have worked beyond his 85 pitches in six innings had there been a need for it. But the Brewers owned a 10-run lead on the strength of a seven-run fifth inning punctuated by Turang’s grand slam.
“Freddy pitched wonderfully today against a very good lineup, very good offense,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. “And he just controlled it the whole time. We've seen Freddy where it's hard to get hits against him; that's what it looked like today. That's what the stuff looks like.”
Peralta knew since at least January that he was lined up to pitch the home opener. He said that meant a lot to his entire family, who understand intimately what Peralta went through last season while pitching at less than 100 percent before finally succumbing to the injured list.
He didn’t need surgery, but he endured two stints on the injured list and wasn’t able to pitch for the Dominican Republic in this year’s World Baseball Classic. Instead, he focused his energies on having a bounce-back season.
“I thought he grew a lot last year,” Brewers pitching coach Chris Hook said. “I mean, when you’re pitching without your best stuff and still able to have success, it shows you who he is as a pitcher. You add your stuff back, it really makes a big difference. That gives you confidence as a pitcher.
“I think he’s in a really good spot. He had a nice build-up and he feels strong. When Freddy feels strong, good things happen.”
A lot of good things happened in recent days. On Wednesday, Peralta and his wife, Maritza, had their second child, a son named Freddy Jr.
The baby was home with his mother on Monday but will get to see his dad pitch someday.
“It was a huge experience for me. For the family too,” Peralta said of pitching the home opener. “I knew that we were going to have a lot of support from the fans today. It was exciting. I was getting ready for this moment and there was nothing I could change about it. It was perfect.”