Dodgers News: Juan Nicasio Hopeful Injury Won’t Linger Over Days Ahead

With Pedro Baez, Brandon League and Joel Peralta still on the mend, the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen is closing in on getting to full strength for the first time this season. That doesn’t necessarily mean each reliever will be at 100 percent, however.

After Brett Anderson labored through five innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, Juan Nicasio took over in the sixth with the Dodgers clinging to a 5-4 lead. Nicasio retired the first batter he faced, then gave up a base hit to Nick Ahmed and walked pinch-hitter David Peralta.

After throwing ball four to Peralta, VP of medical services Stan Conte and manager Don Mattingly emerged from the dugout to check on Nicasio. After a few minutes of discussion, the right-hander was removed from the game with an apparent injury.

The Dodgers later announced Nicasio left with a cracked nail on the middle finger of his throwing hand. The condition was something the right-hander had been dealing with. “We knew he had torn a little bit of the nail,” Mattingly said after the Dodgers’ walk-off win.

“The fastball was coming out fine, but he couldn’t throw the breaking ball. You can’t be out there without all of your weapons. It’s hard enough with all of them.” The Dodgers have an off day Thursday before beginning a weekend series in San Diego against the Padres.

“Hopefully once we go to San Diego it will be OK,” Nicasio said. He added the nail had bothered him over the last few games. Prior to appearing in Wednesday’s game, the 28 year old last pitched Sunday when he threw 0.1 of an inning against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Nicasio has a 2.16 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 20 appearances this season, including one start that came in the first game of a doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies.

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