Bell entered as a pinch hitter and went 0-for-1 in Saturday's 5-0 win over Milwaukee.
Bell stayed in the game to serve as the designated hitter but didn't get any more plate appearances. Saturday's appearance was his first since last Sunday. The September returns of Christian Walker, Ketel Marte and more recently, Lourdes Gurriel, give the Diamondbacks more lineup options, limiting Bell's opportunities. Bell, who had 112 plate appearances during the month of August over 26 games, has just 43 this month with seven games left in the regular season.
Bell will start at first base and bat cleanup in Sunday's game against the Astros.
Bell was on the bench for the first two games of the series, but he'll move back into the starting nine for the finale while Ketel Marte and Christian Walker get the evening off. Though Marte should eventually reclaim a full-time role at second base after being eased back in the lineup at designated hitter in the previous two contests, Arizona likely won't have room in the lineup for Bell against right-handed pitching while Walker and Joc Pederson occupy first base and the DH spot, respectively. Bell should at least replace the lefty-hitting Pederson in the lineup when the Diamondbacks face left-handed pitching.
Bell served as the designated hitter and went 0-for-4 with an RBI in Tuesday's 8-7 win over San Francisco.
Bell, who had been the primary first baseman for the last month, moved to DH as Christian Walker returned to first base after being activated off the 10-day injured list. Bell acquitted himself well as a replacement, batting .283 with an .809 OPS over 28 games, and should see work as the DH against left-handers going forward.
Diamondbacks' Josh Bell: Absent from starting lineup
Rotowire
Bell is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers.
Bell opened up the series going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and one RBI in Friday's 10-9 loss. Pavin Smith starts at first base Saturday, batting fifth.
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Diamondbacks' Josh Bell: Racks up three hits in loss
Rotowire
Bell went 3-for-5 with one RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 10-9 loss to the Dodgers.
Since receiving a day off Aug. 19, Bell has gone 12-for-33 (.364) over his last nine contests. He's picked up three RBI and scored six runs in that span, but all 12 of those hits have been singles -- the first baseman doesn't have an extra-base hit since a double Aug. 13. For the year, Bell is slashing .246/.314/.408 with 18 home runs, 61 RBI, 55 runs scored and 22 doubles over 129 contests between Arizona and Miami.
