A new postgame celebration has emerged in the D-backs’ clubhouse this season. You may already be familiar with it if you follow any of the players on TikTok.
After every win, a group of Arizona players gets together and performs a dance routine to the song, “El Juidero” by Chimbala and Bulin 47. Typically, infielder Eduardo Escobar and outfielder David Peralta can be seen among the leaders.
“It’s fun, and since Spring Training, we started doing that dance and we decided to make it our winning dance,” said Peralta, whose TikTok profile is filled with clips of the celebrations. “Every time we [win] a game, everyone is going to do the dance.”
Well, not quite everyone. At least not yet.
On Sunday, left-hander Madison Bumgarner earned his first win of the season by tossing five innings of one-run ball at Washington. But he was not among the D-backs players involved in the postgame dance celebration.
If it’s up to Peralta, that will change before the end of the season.
“It’s getting close, it’s a lot of hard work. I think it’s way harder than to hit, to get Bumgarner to dance,” Peralta said. “But I’m going to make it happen. I’m working really, really, really hard. That’s my extra work that I’m doing, to get him to dance with us. So hopefully, one day. I can’t guarantee you what day that’s going to be, but it will be this year.”
After opening the season with two straight series losses, the D-backs have had more opportunities to dance of late, winning four of their past eight games entering Tuesday’s series opener at Cincinnati. The current 10-game road trip will continue in Atlanta, where Bumgarner should make his next start.
And if Bumgarner pitches well again, perhaps he’ll get in on the dancing this time. So make sure to keep an eye on Peralta’s TikTok.
Heath quickly makes impact
Outfielder Nick Heath made a strong first impression in his D-backs debut on Sunday, going 3-for-4 from the No. 8 spot in the lineup in the win over the Nationals. The 27-year-old was acquired in a trade with the Royals on Saturday.
Before the deal, Heath had been designated for assignment by Kansas City. His only previous big league experience came in 2020, when he went 2-for-13 with a double, three RBIs and two stolen bases in 15 games.
Heath again started in center field and batted eighth on Tuesday against the Reds.
“Just being able to come out here and be yourself and know that these guys are pulling for you even though you’re the new guy on the block, I mean, that’s pretty awesome,” Heath said after Sunday’s game.
Coles not with team
D-backs hitting coach Darnell Coles is not with the team on the current road trip after undergoing surgery to repair a right Achilles tendon tear.
“He was battling it for parts of our last homestand and got the official word on the last day of the homestand that the Achilles was going to require surgery,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “He had the procedure, everything went well. I talked to him today, he’s resting, watching games and sending notes.”
Assistant hitting coach Eric Hinske and hitting coordinator Drew Hedman are handling the hitting responsibilities. With Coles and first-base coach Dave McKay (broken rib/lacerated spleen) not with the team, field coordinator Chris Cron is helping to coach the outfielders and working with hitters in the batting cage.
Injury updates
• Outfielder Tim Locastro (dislocated left pinkie finger) met with hand specialist Dr. Don Sheridan, who confirmed the original diagnosis that there is no fracture. Lovullo said that Locastro’s stitches are still in place on the wound and that “everything’s healing.”
Lovullo added that the D-backs are hoping Locastro is on the injured list for the “shortest amount of time possible,” although he isn’t sure if Locastro will be ready when 10 days are up.
• First baseman Christian Walker (right oblique strain) is doing light hip movements and rotations. Lovullo said the next steps will be for Walker to swing a bat and participate in added baseball activities.
• Outfielder Ketel Marte (right hamstring strain) is taking swings and throwing and “continues to improve,” per Lovullo.
• Right-hander Joakim Soria (left calf strain) recently threw a bullpen session, but Lovullo isn’t sure when he’ll throw next. Lovullo said the team wants to make sure Soria is feeling good with movements coming off the mound before he nears a return.