Diamondbacks supervisor Torey Lovullo tells Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports activities that infielder Blaze Alexander has a proper indirect pressure. A agency timeline wasn’t offered however the skipper stated Alexander’s absence can be measured in weeks moderately than days. With Opening Day now lower than a month away, a season-opening journey to the injured record appears distinctly potential. Even when he’s wholesome previous to the opener, he’ll have to get some reps and successfully redo spring coaching to get into recreation form.
Alexander, 26, projected because the membership’s probably bench infielder earlier than this damage. He obtained into 61 video games for the Snakes final 12 months, his first main league motion, stepping to the plate 185 instances. His .247/.321/.343 batting line led to a wRC+ of 88. That signifies he was 12% under league common total however that’s not terrible for a man who can play a number of positions off the bench. Alexander logged at the least 53 innings at shortstop, second base and third base final 12 months.
The Diamondbacks have on a regular basis regulars at these spots, with Geraldo Perdomo at brief, Ketel Marte at second and Eugenio Suárez at third. Alexander may give the membership cowl at these three spots when wholesome however they must discover an alternative choice if he has to start out the season on the injured record.
On the 40-man roster, the Diamondbacks do have another infield choices. Jordan Lawlar is essentially the most notable, however he is among the prime prospects within the league and solely performed 23 minor league video games final 12 months resulting from accidents. Presumably, the Diamondbacks would favor to have him enjoying daily within the minors and getting again in type after a principally misplaced season. It’s potential he performs his manner into the third base job and pushes Suárez into the designated hitter slot, although the Diamondbacks may also need Pavin Smith to get at-bats there.
Grae Kessinger and Tim Tawa are additionally on the roster, although Tawa has little or no shortstop expertise within the minors, making him an imperfect match because the membership’s major bench infielder. Kessinger has performed all around the subject however has hit simply .131/.243/.213 in his huge league profession to this point. His minor league offense has been higher however nonetheless subpar. His .234/.332/.372 batting line on the farm over the previous 4 years results in an 83 wRC+.
The free agent market options guys like Jose Iglesias and Joey Wendle, although the Snakes probably received’t be compelled to make a transfer if Alexander goes to return pretty early within the season. Different infielders will certainly turn out to be out there as Opening Day nears and all golf equipment make their remaining roster cuts, so maybe the Snakes will hold a lookout for veterans opting out of minor league offers or fringe gamers hitting the waiver wire.
