Minor League News
Less than a week after being reinstated from the 60-day IL with a ruptured UCL tendon, the Diamondbacks‘ top-rated prospect Jordan Lawlar faced another setback, this time with a hamstring injury.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The 21-year-old was drafted in the 1st round, 6th overall, in the 2021 MLB Draft. Lawlar made his major league debut last September, going 4-for-31 at the plate to wrap up the season. While he made the Diamondbacks’ postseason roster as a pinch-runner, the shortstop did not make the D-backs’ 2024 Opening Day roster due to a thumb injury that occurred a day before the roster announcement. Instead, Arizona opted for rookie Blaze Alexander to serve as the backup shortstop.
In MLB Pipeline’s top-100 prospect list, Lawlar is ranked 8th.
On Saturday, Lawlar began his rehab assignment at the Arizona Complex League, going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts. Lawlar was joined by SS Andrew Pintar, 3B Gino Groover, and 2B Andy Weber, who were also beginning rehab assignments.
Gino Groover, the Diamondbacks’ 2nd round draft pick in 2023, is returning from a displaced radius fracture. He went 1-for-3 with a double in his first game back. Andrew Pintar and Andy Weber combined for a 1-for-6 afternoon. The ACL D-backs beat the ACL Rockies 3-2.
Tucker Barnhart Officially Gone
Clearing the way for Gabriel Moreno to return from a hand injury, the Diamondbacks designated backup catcher Tucker Barnhart for assignment last week, which was officially recorded in Arizona’s transaction log on Saturday.
The Diamondbacks signed Barnhart on January 11, and the veteran made the Opening Day roster. However, with limited playing time, he struggled to find his rhythm at the plate.
In 79 at-bats, Barnhart posted a .165 batting average and a .190 slugging percentage. The two-time Gold Glover threw out four baserunners but also allowed 13 stolen bases.
The Diamondbacks now have Jose Herrera as their backup catcher behind Gabriel Moreno. Since returning from his injury, Moreno has been on a tear at the plate, picking up a hit in all four games, including multiple three-hit games. Moreno has raised his season batting average from .230 to .251 in just four games.
Eduardo Rodriguez Injury News
On Saturday, Arizona received some positive news surrounding starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, as Torey Lovullo confirmed that the lefties MRI came back clean, which means he can begin a bullpen routine in the next couple of days.
Eduardo Rodriguez’s most recent follow-up MRI came back clean, Torey Lovullo said. He is likely to throw a bullpen session in the coming days.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) July 6, 2024
According to Jon Heyman at the New York Post, Rodriguez could return to Arizona’s starting rotation as soon as late-July, that is if everything goes perfectly to plan. Rodriguez has not taken the mound for the Diamondbacks since he joined them last December on a four-year, $80 million contract.
Rodriguez spent the first six seasons of his MLB career with the Boston Red Sox, where he recorded 64 wins, struck out over 1,100 batters, and had an ERA of 4.16. He also won a World Series with the Red Sox in 2018, serving as a crucial piece out of their bullpen for most of the postseason run.
After his tenure with the Red Sox, Rodriguez played with the Tigers for the past two seasons. In 2023, he went 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA.
