Report: Joel Peralta activated, confirmed to have had chikungunya

On the day that Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Joel Peralta was activated from the 15-day disabled list, the Pinellas County Department of Health seemed to confirm that he had the chikungunya virus, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

Without names, Pinellas Health Dept. says Peralta has chikungunya, confirming case of 38-y-o male who traveled to the Caribbean in July.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 28, 2014

The team announced his activation, which came in conjunction with the news that pitcher Erik Bedard was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Peralta.

Last Wednesday, Peralta was sent back to Tampa during a road trip to be tested for the virus after being placed on the DL. Peralta spent the All-Star break in the Dominican Republic, where he believed he contacted the disease from a mosquito.

Chikungunya is a viral infection characterized by a high fever, severe chronic joint pain and fatigue.

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Peralta is 2-3 with a 4.15 ERA in 39 innings for the Rays this season.

- Molly Geary