Smith started in right field, went 0-for-4 and couldn't track down a couple of flyballs in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Padres.
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo went with Smith's offensive potential -- he had six homers and a .310 batting average in September coming into the game -- over Jake McCarthy, a better defender with more range. The move backfired immediately when Smith couldn't track down leadoff batter Luis Arraez's flyball, opening the door to San Diego's four-run first inning. Smith later couldn't track down another fly from Arraez in the fourth that turned into a triple and the Padres' fifth run. The loss left the Diamondbacks outside the final wild-card spot with two games left and could lead to McCarthy replacing Smith on Saturday.
Smith went 1-for-1 with a pinch-hit three-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Giants.
Smith didn't enter the game until the bottom of the eighth when he was brought in to pinch hit for Randal Grichuk with two runners on. The outfielder then came through in a big way, launching a three-run home run off Spencer Bivens on the third pitch he saw to extend Arizona's lead to six runs. The long ball was Smith's ninth on the campaign and his sixth in the month of September, where he's batting .310 with 12 extra-base hits, 19 RBI and 13 runs scored.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Losing work to Gurriel
Rotowire
Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.
On the bench for a second straight matchup with a right-handed pitcher, Smith looks to have moved back into a reserve role after having occupied a strong-side platoon role in left field for much of the previous two weeks. Smith's playing time will likely be more sparse moving forward now that top left fielder Lourdes Gurriel is healthy again after missing time with a calf strain.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Remains in lineup
Rotowire
Smith started in right field and went 1-for-5 in Friday's 7-4 win over the Brewers.
Friday's game featured the return of Lourdes Gurriel from the 10-day injured list, which will cost someone at-bats. That someone was Jake McCarthy on Friday while Smith remained in the lineup. Smith, who's been a more productive hitter than McCarthy of late, hit safely for a seventh straight contest and is 10-for-24 with six extra-base hits, five RBI and five runs over that stretch.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Goes deep in victory
Rotowire
Smith went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 5-1 win against the Brewers.
Smith capped the scoring in the contest with a two-run shot in the eighth inning. The long ball was his first since he went deep three times against the Astros on Sept. 8. He's been hitting well of late, though, compiling a six-game hitting streak during which he's batting .474 (9-for-19) with four doubles, five runs and five RBI. His path to regular at-bats will take a hit when Lourdes Gurriel returns from a calf injury, which could happen this weekend.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: On base three times
Rotowire
Smith went 1-for-2 with two walks in Monday's 3-2 loss to Colorado.
Smith has been a regular in left field against right-handers since Lourdes Gurriel (calf) landed on the injured list. The lefty-hitting Smith is 10-for-25 with four home runs, 14 RBI, eight runs and a .484 on-base percentage over 10 games since replacing Gurriel, who has been taking at-bats at the Diamondbacks' camp and could rejoin the club later this week.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Rattles off three hits
Rotowire
Smith went 3-for-4 with two runs scored in Saturday's 15-8 loss to the Brewers.
Smith was one of five Diamondbacks to post multiple hits in the blowout loss. He has a pair of three-hit efforts over his last five games, though Smith remains in a strong-side platoon role despite his recent success at the plate. For the year, the 28-year-old has a .280/.348/.550 slash line with seven home runs, 28 RBI, 21 runs scored and one stolen base over 115 plate appearances. Smith could see his role reduced once again whenever Lourdes Gurriel (calf) is ready to return.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Doubles, delivers run in win
Rotowire
Smith started in left field and went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 6-0 win over the Rangers.
Smith followed up his three-homer game Sunday with a more pedestrian outing Tuesday. He's been the primary left fielder against right-handers while Lourdes Gurriel tends to a calf injury. Gurriel began hitting Tuesday, is scheduled to run Thursday and the club is hopeful for a return after the minimum 10-day stay on the injured list. That means Smith's starting opportunity could be coming to a close this weekend.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Sitting against southpaw
Rotowire
Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.
Though he's settled into the large side of a platoon in left field following Lourdes Gurriel's (calf) move to the injured list, the lefty-hitting Smith will take a seat Wednesday against Rangers southpaw Cody Bradford. Platoon mate Randal Grichuk will step in for Smith.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Historic offensive day
Rotowire
Smith went 3-for-4 with three home runs, a walk and eight RBI in Sunday's win over the Astros.
Smith had seven RBI by the third inning after he took Justin Verlander deep in the second for a three-run blast and then followed it up with a grand slam. He wasn't done there, as he then went deep off Kaleb Ort in the fifth, becoming the first Diamondbacks player with three homers in a game since 2017. Smith had a chance to complete the home run cycle after coming up to the plate in the seventh with a man on but wound up striking out. After Sunday's outburst Smith has tied his home run total from last season in 125 less plate appearances. He's slashing .270/.343/.562 with seven homers, 26 RBI, 18 runs, a steal and an 11:15 BB:K in 102 plate appearances.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Homers, swipes bag in win
Rotowire
Smith started in left field and went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base, a home run and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Giants.
Smith homered in the fifth inning for his fourth of the season and first since being called up in the middle of August. He also responded to the Giants scoring twice in the bottom of seventh by leading off the eighth with a walk, a stolen base and eventually scoring what turned out to be the winning run. It was his first steal in 2024. The injury to Lourdes Gurriel (calf, 10-day IL) has created a path to at-bats for Smith -- this was his second start since Gurriel landed on the injured list -- and he could be the regular fill-in when Arizona faces a right-hander while Gurriel is sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Fills in at left field
Rotowire
Smith started in left field and went 1-for-4 in Monday's 11-6 loss to the Dodgers.
Smith got the start in left with Lourdes Gurriel (calf) unavailable. The Diamondbacks plan to have Gurriel undergo an MRI when one can be arranged, which could provide a clearer picture for his return to action. In the meantime, the Diamondbacks have Smith available for right-handers, Randal Grichuk for lefties and the switch-hitting Jorge Barrosa for pitchers of either hand.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Brought up from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks recalled Smith from Triple-A Reno on Monday.
Smith has hit well for Arizona in 2024 when provided with opportunities, putting up an an .801 OPS with three home runs in 68 plate appearances. However, he would not appear in line for regular playing time during his upcoming stint in the majors.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Heads back to minors
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks optioned Smith to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.
He's clearing out to make room on the roster for Josh Bell, who will report to the club Friday after being acquired via trade earlier this week. Smith has had a solid showing with the Diamondbacks in 2024 when he's been given chances, collecting an .801 OPS with three home runs in 68 plate appearances.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Gets start at first base
Rotowire
Smith started at first base and went 0-for-4 with an RBI in Wednesday's 5-4 win over Washington.
Smith typically doesn't start against left-handers, but he got the call Wednesday with Christian Walker (oblique) on the 10-day injured list. Kevin Newman started there Tuesday against a lefty, but he spelled Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop Wednesday. Eventually, trade-acquisition Josh Bell is expected to take over at first base while Walker is out, and that absence is estimated to be about three weeks.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Called up to majors
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks recalled Smith from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.
Smith will rejoin the Diamondbacks as a replacement on the active roster for first baseman Christian Walker (oblique), who was placed on the 10-day injured list and is likely to miss around three weeks. In 34 games Reno following his June 10 demotion, Smith slashed .297/.416/.570 with seven home runs and a 26:24 BB:K. Though the 28-year-old could be an option at first base while Walker is out, trade-deadline acquisition Josh Bell is a more likely candidate to serve as Walker's primary replacement.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
Smith was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Monday, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports.
Smith will head to Triple-A after struggling to find consistent opportunities with the major-league roster, batting .275 with two homers, seven RBI and five runs scored over 40 total at-bats since the beginning of May. The 27-year-old will now likely get extended run with Reno and he'll almost assuredly get another shot with the Diamondbacks down the road this season. In the meantime, Christian Walker will continue to handle the lion's share of work at first base.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Homers in loss
Rotowire
Smith started at first base and went 3-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's 9-3 loss to San Francisco.
Smith gave Christian Walker a break in the field and homered for a second straight game -- he walked off the Giants in the series opener. He's been successful in a part-time role and is batting .294 with an .896 OPS over 55 plate appearances. He should remain rostered by Arizona until Alek Thomas (hamstring) is ready, which could be by the end of next week. Thomas is slated to begin a rehab assignment soon, and manager Torey Lovullo told Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic that the rehab stint could be a quick one.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Walks off Giants
Rotowire
Smith hit a pinch-hit, two-run home run in Monday's 4-2 win over the Giants.
Smith pinch hit for Eugenio Suarez and sent a center-cut fastball over the fence in center field for a walk-off home run. It was his second homer of the season and the first walk-off blast of his career. Smith has been relegated to the bench and pinch-hit duties mostly, but he has a knack for high-leverage moments. Per Baseball Reference's leverage indicator, the outfielder/DH owns an .871 OPS in high-leverage spots during his career.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Makes rare start
Rotowire
Smith started in right field and went 1-for-2 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to Texas.
The start was Smith's first appearance of any kind since May 19 and 11th since being called up from Triple-A Reno on April 19. The lefty-batter doubled in the Diamondbacks' first run before being pinch hit for when a lefty entered the contest. Smith has a .244/.273/.415 line over 44 plate appearances.
