Diamondbacks’ Daulton Varsho exits game vs. Dodgers with shoulder injury

The Diamondbacks’ Daulton Varsho was removed from Friday night’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers due to a sore right shoulder, but manager Torey Lovullo was hopeful their versatile leadoff hitter had managed to avoid a serious injury.

Varsho appeared to be struck on the right shoulder blade by a fastball during his first inning at-bat against Dodgers right-hander Ryan Pepiot. The pitch was clocked at 94.6 mph.

Lovullo said X-rays on Varsho came back negative. He is scheduled to undergo additional imaging on Saturday, Lovullo said, “just to make sure.”

“We’re keeping our fingers crossed,” Lovullo said. “We feel very good about it at this point.”

Varsho, who was in the lineup as the designated hitter on Friday, remained in the game for a second at-bat, popping out in foul territory, but was removed for a pinch hitter when his spot in the order came up in the fifth inning.

The Diamondbacks already are without frontline catcher Carson Kelly, who is on the injured list with a mild oblique strain. Varsho had been the club’s starting center fielder before shifting behind the plate following Kelly’s injury.

If Varsho is forced to miss time, it likely would mean an increased role for backup Jose Herrera, who had the first multi-hit game of his career on Friday night. He went 3 for 4 with three singles and a run scored.

Reach Piecoro at (602) 444-8680 or nick.piecoro@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickpiecoro.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: D-Backs’ Daulton Varsho exits game with sore right shoulder