Dodgers could lack some speed if Jose Peraza comes up lame

The Dodgers had made speed a priority for the postseason. They developed a “speed camp” to identify a capable pinch-runner for October. They traded for the swift second baseman and outfielder Jose Peraza from the Atlanta Braves, then called him up to the big leagues.

It looked as though Peraza would make a good fit for the postseason roster. Now, it is unlikely the Dodgers will add a designated runner at all.

Peraza aggravated a hamstring injury Sunday, and had an MRI exam Monday. Did that mean Peraza could be done for the year?

“It sounds like it could be, yes,” Manager Don Mattingly said, and, he added, “I don’t think we have anyone else that we would consider for that role.”

Peraza had just four hits in 22 at-bats, but two were for extra bases, and he was an aggressive, effective baserunner. He was three for three on stolen-base attempts.

Mattingly said losing Peraza could be significant — or not at all.

“That type of thing is a luxury. Sometimes you would need it, sometimes you wouldn’t,” Mattingly said. “It’s one of those things, you never know if you’re going to need it or not until you get to that spot.”

Grandal time

The Dodger Stadium fans rose to their feet and cheered. Yasmani Grandal had flown out. But at least he’d knocked in a run. It was a good start.

Grandal has had a miserable time at the plate recently. Coming into Monday’s game, he was without a hit in his last 36 at-bats. His last base hit was Aug. 16 (he also missed time because of an injured shoulder). But in that first at-bat in the second inning, his sacrifice fly drove in the Dodgers’ first run.

Then, in the fourth inning, Grandal lined a sharp single to right field, singled again in the sixth. The slump was over.

“I’ve been in some bad ones,” Grandal said. “I know I’m going to get out of it at some point.”

Latos mum

After five starts with the Dodgers, Mat Latos is 0-2 with 6.56 earned-run average. He was bumped from his last start and moved to the bullpen.

The Dodgers will need a starter Sept. 22, and the choices probably boil down to Latos and Mike Bolsinger.

Does Latos feel good about his chances? How does he feel about his current role?

It’s difficult to tell. Latos politely declined to comment Monday. “Every time I try to make a comment, it gets twisted around,” he said. “I don’t trust anybody. Sorry.”

Short hops

Outfielder Carl Crawford was not in the lineup Monday because of a sore hamstring. Mattingly said Crawford “feels like he can play,” but the team is being cautious. … Shortstop Jimmy Rollins remained out because of a bruised knuckle. He planned to hit and throw Monday but pushed the regimen back to Tuesday … Second baseman Howie Kendrick, who has been out because of a hamstring injury, played in a simulated game and ran the bases. … First baseman Adrian Gonzalez was named the Dodgers’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award.

zach.helfand@latimes.com