All articles tagged with #diamondbacks
The Dodgers acquired center fielder Alek Thomas from the Diamondbacks in exchange for minor league outfielder Jose Requena, with the Dodgers designating Michael Siani for assignment to open a spot. Los Angeles will assume roughly $1.4 million of Thomas’s remaining arbitration salary and will start him in Triple-A for now, adding a defense-first outfielder to their depth chart as Arizona reshuffles its outfield.
Arizona designated Alek Thomas for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot and promoted top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt to the majors, with Waldschmidt expected to get regular outfield work. Thomas, once a top prospect, has struggled offensively and is out of minor league options. The team also activated Tyler Locklear from the IL and optioned him to Triple-A Reno.
Veteran utility infielder Ildemaro Vargas has captured headlines in early 2026, posting a league-best .388 average and a 27-game hitting streak before it ended, aided by a small but notable uptick in ball elevation and line-drive contact. Analysts caution the numbers are from a tiny sample and likely unsustainable, but Vargas’s real value lies in his versatility across infield positions, steady contact, and a clubhouse persona that coaches and teammates celebrate, helping him stay in the majors across a decade despite a journeyman career.
Shota Imanaga pitched seven scoreless innings and Ian Happ homered in the 2nd, then added an insurance triple in the 8th that plated a run as the Cubs beat the Diamondbacks 2-0 at Wrigley; Ben Brown closed it with a two-inning save for Chicago.
The Cubs survived a tense late-inning stretch to beat the Diamondbacks 6-5 at Wrigley. Key moments included Michael Busch’s two-run single off Zac Gallen, solid contributions from the Cubs’ bullpen, and a late surge as Chicago held on after Nico Hoerner left with neck tightness and a pinch-hitter was used. Daniel Palencia began a rehab stint in Iowa, and Swanson returned to the lineup, with the Cubs continuing to lean on effective pinch-hitting early this season. Full box score and related Cubs coverage follow.
Arizona reinstated Lourdes Gurriel Jr. from the 10-day IL after his ACL tear, making room by DFA’ing first baseman Luken Baker. Gurriel could be back in the lineup as soon as this weekend after a rapid rehab, while Baker, who had limited MLB action since April 7, may clear waivers and elect free agency if outrighted. The first-base/DH situation has been in flux due to Santana and Smith injuries, with Jose Fernandez and Ildemaro Vargas contributing as options.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. could rejoin the Diamondbacks this weekend after tearing his ACL last Sept., with manager Torey Lovullo signaling a near return. He’s been ramping up in Arizona, walking and doubling in four plate appearances with Double-A Amarillo and then homering in the next game, suggesting a quicker-than-expected recovery that could see him in the outfield (not just as DH) as the team weighs his workload, potentially for a weekend matchup against his former team, the Blue Jays.
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced multiple roster moves: Gabriel Moreno was placed on the 10-day injured list with an oblique strain; Aramis Garcia was recalled from Triple-A to back up James McCann and Adrian Del Castillo. Pavin Smith was moved from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL to clear a 40-man spot for Garcia. Merrill Kelly returned from the 15-day IL, and Taylor Rashi was optioned to Triple-A Reno. The team also shifted Brandon Pfaadt to the bullpen to create a rotation spot, so Kelly will start tonight against the Orioles, with Garcia as a third catcher and Del Castillo/McCann handling the catching duties based on the matchup.
The Baltimore Orioles erased a 7-1 deficit in the sixth inning to rally for a 9-7 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, sparked by Jeremiah Jackson’s grand slam and highlighted by Pete Alonso’s go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh; Jackson later added an insurance homer in the eighth as Baltimore extended its strong run, while Kremer struggled in his season debut and Arenado provided early Arizona offense.
Kyle Schwarber hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the third and Bryce Harper followed with another, lifting the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks and snapping Philly's three-game skid. Arizona had jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to Ketel Marte's leadoff homer and an RBI from Adrian Del Castillo, but Taijuan Walker allowed two runs over five innings to earn the win, while Jhoan Duran closed out the save. Arizona pitcher Gabriel Moreno was sidelined with a back issue, and Brandon Pfaadt took the loss. The next game is Sunday with Andrew Painter opposing Zac Gallen.
Gabriel Moreno will undergo an MRI after exiting with lower back tightness; the Diamondbacks have catching depth with McCann and Del Castillo as day-to-day precautions. Corbin Carroll, off to a torrid start, is dealing with a minor hip issue but is not MRI-needed; Merrill Kelly is close to a season debut after intercostal nerve irritation, with a bullpen session planned. Brandon Pfaadt's rotation spot is in flux, potentially moving him to long relief if he can't keep his spot.
The Arizona Diamondbacks erased a 4-0 deficit against Philadelphia, scoring five runs in the fifth inning to edge the Phillies 5-4. Mike Soroka struck out 10 over 5 2/3 innings for the win, and Paul Sewald closed it out for his fourth save after Philly’s early lead vanished. Jesús Luzardo took the loss for Philadelphia, which struck out 16 times, while Arizona’s offense rallied with Ketel Marte’s two-RBI single, Ildemaro Vargas’ RBI, and J. C. McCann’s two-run double to seize the comeback win.
Justin Verlander’s long-awaited return to Detroit didn’t go as hoped, as Arizona jumped out to a big early lead and held on for a 9-6 win. Verlander lasted four innings with spotty command, the Diamondbacks tacked on runs including a three‑run shot by Carroll, and Detroit’s comeback attempt surged with a six‑run seventh (and two more in the eighth) before Ildemaro Vargas’ late solo shot sealed the result. The Tigers drop to 2-2, and Casey Mize is set to debut Tuesday against Brandon Pfaadt.
In an MLB spring-training-style game, Los Angeles rolled to an 8-2 win over Arizona. The Diamondbacks plated two in the fourth on Perdomo's homer, but the Dodgers answered with a four-run fifth inning capped by A. Pages' three-run shot and a subsequent RBI single from Will Smith. Los Angeles then added four more in the seventh, highlighted by Tucker's double, Betts' RBI, and Smith's homer, while Arizona was held scoreless after that as the Dodgers pulled away.
Opening Day at Dodger Stadium features the Dodgers raising their 2025 World Series banner and hosting the Diamondbacks. The game starts at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBC/Peacock, with Zac Gallen starting for Arizona and Yoshinobu Yamamoto for Los Angeles. Jason Benetti will call the action with Luis Gonzalez and Orel Hershiser, and Bob Costas will host the pregame alongside Clayton Kershaw.