Nationals @ Dodgers August 10, 2015: Welcome, Jose Peraza

Though none of the quartet of Mat Latos, Alex Wood, Luis Avilan, or — sigh — Jim Johnson have been particular standouts thus far, the deal that brought them to Los Angeles for Hector Olivera, Paco Rodriguez, and some minor leaguers you’ll never think about again was still seen as a win. You could argue that the Dodgers should have tried to get more talent than they did in another way. You can’t argue that the simple exchange of in-for-out made all the sense.

That would have been the case even without top prospect Jose Peraza, I think. That he was included made the deal feel like a slam dunk. Now, after only 10 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Peraza’s inclusion feels like less a nice addition for the future and more an imperative for right now: Peraza will make his major league debut tonight in place of Howie Kendrick, who has been placed on the DL with his strained hamstring. (Peraza is playing second and batting second, because of course.) He’ll wear No. 18, and he’ll be the youngest Dodgers position player since Adrian Beltre.

So, will he be “the man” at the keystone until Kendrick returns? Uncertain. Don Mattingly said that Enrique Hernandez would get “the first shot,” but obviously that’s not the case tonight. (With lefty Gio Gonzalez going for Washington, the lineup tonight is all righty or switch, with Joc Pederson (slumping miserably against all pitchers), Andre Ethier/Carl Crawford (can’t hit lefties) and Adrian Gonzalez (older player off an all-night flight with a solid lefty killer behind him) taking seats. But he also said that Justin Turner and Alberto Callaspo could see time there as well; both players have extensive experience at second, though little there this year.

Peraza seems to have himself quite the opportunity right now, though he still seems just as likely to head right back down when Turner returns later this week. What’s surprising tonight, however, is that no moves were made in the bullpen. Joel Peralta is still around. (So is Johnson, though it was far less likely he’d be moved.) It wasn’t going to be Mike Bolsinger (pitched 3.2 innings last night) or Carlos Frias (on the DL with a sore back), but between guys like Yimi Garcia, Adam Liberatore, Ian Thomas, Daniel Coulombe,  and Josh Ravin, it’s not like there aren’t options who have had some kind of success in the big leagues this year.

That being said: Bryce Harper is in town, and he’s awesome, and even if he hits a ball 1,200 feet, appreciate him. He’s the presumptive NL MVP. He’s a treasure. He’s so, so good.