Player News

• Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Idle against left-hander

  17H ago • By RotoWire

  Smith isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs, Aaron Hughes of SI.com reports. Smith is expected to receive the bulk of starts at DH while working in a platoon with Randal Grichuk. However, a matchup against lefty Justin Steele on Thursday will keep Smith in the dugout while Grichuk enters the lineup and bats seventh.

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• Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Ready to go Sunday

  5D ago • By RotoWire

  Smith (wrist) is starting at first base and batting cleanup in Sunday's split-squad game against the White Sox. Smith departed Friday's contest due to a bruised right wrist but will rejoin the lineup just two days later. The 28-year-old is expected to begin the season operating as Arizona's primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching, with Randal Grichuk likely to handle the small side of the platoon.

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• Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Exits with bruised wrist

  6D ago • By RotoWire

  Smith was removed from Friday's Cactus League game against Milwaukee with a right wrist contusion. It's unclear how or when Smith bruised his wrist, but he was pinch hit for in the fourth inning after going 0-for-2 with a strikeout. His injury doesn't seem too serious, so he should still be ready to go for Opening Day.

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• Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Homers off bench

  13D ago • By RotoWire

  Smith hit a solo home run and walked over two plate appearances in Friday's spring game against Cincinnati. The Diamondbacks fielded what looked like a potential regular-season lineup Friday, but the lefty-hitting Smith did not start against a right-hander. Instead, manager Torey Lovullo had Jake McCarthy at designated hitter while Alek Thomas was in center field. To this point in spring training, it's widely been assumed that Smith would be the lefty component at DH against right-handers, and that McCarthy and Thomas were in a battle to start in center field. That still may be the case, and no conclusions should be drawn from this one spring contest. Smith has homered in two consecutive Cactus League games and is batting .259/.375/.856 through 32 plate appearances.

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• Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Platoon at DH expected

  02/20/2025 • By RotoWire

  Smith is expected to serve as left-handed bat in a platoon at designated hitter this season, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. Smith will fill the role occupied by Joc Pederson last season. With Pederson moving on in free agency, Smith is a logical choice to face righties, against whom he posted a .920 OPS over 135 plate appearances last season. He's bounced between the majors and minors the last few seasons, but Smith's second-half surge in 2024 reaffirmed manager Torey Lovullo's oft-stated belief that he can hit. The 29-year-old described a change in his mental approach, noting he was "not trying to beat the ball to spots," which translates to not trying to do too much with a pitch. Smith is not expected to see much time in the outfield but could get some opportunities at first base, where his defense is passable. His primary role, however, will be that of a strongside platoon at DH.

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