Prior to the second game of their doubleheader against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers activated David Price off the COVID-19 injured list and designated Shane Greene for assignment as the corresponding move to make room on the active and 40-man rosters.
Price pitched in Wednesday’s series finale against the Diamondbacks, which was his first appearance since April 22. “I wasn’t able to do a whole lot for the first 10 days,” he said after testing positive last month.
“I was in a hotel room here in L.A. The first five days weren’t bad, but the last five, that was pretty tough, just being stuck in a hotel room and not being outside. And I tried to get out as much as I could, just drive my car around to be outside.
“But I went back to Arizona after the Chicago trip, and threw a couple of bullpens and some live BPs and felt really good. So I was able to come back and I was happy to get in there today and be able to help us win.”
Price noted he is feeling much better compared to a month ago, but stopped short of saying he is 100% recovered. “I’d like to say yes, but probably not,” Price began.
“I think COVID hits people differently and I still have some lingering stuff. I’ve got medicine for it so hopefully in the next four or five days it gets better. I feel like my energy is still coming back, so that’s good. It affects people differently and it still affects me a little bit.”
Despite missing nearly a month, Price was immediately thrown into a high-leverage situation against the Diamondbacks as he inherited the tying runs on base. The left-hander needed just three pitches to get a strikeout to end the seventh inning.
Price then remained in the game and retired the Diamondbacks in order in the eighth. “Yeah, I mean just the way that I bounce back from outing to outing,” Price answered when asked if he can be an impact arm out of the bullpen.
“And I said it last year, I feel like the more that I throw, the better that I feel. So I’ll enjoy the off-day and looking forward to getting out there against the Phillies.”
Price still feels he can throw with conviction
Price also talked about throwing with conviction and believes he can bring that mentality into every outing. “I can throw that way every day,” the veteran said.
“And we’ll be able to work on something, whether it’s a new pitch or a new grip, being able to throw curveballs and to have belief in that curveball. If it’s going to go where I want it to go, it’s not going to hurt, I’ve still been able to do that.”
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