Tomas back in Majors for first time since '17

MIAMI -- Yasmany Tomás is back in the big leagues for the first time in more than two years.

The D-backs called up the slugging outfielder from Triple-A Reno on Friday and placed right-handed starter Taylor Clarke on the paternity list.

A player on the paternity list must miss at least one game, but no more than three, and D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said the club expects Clarke to miss the first three games of the Marlins series.

Tomas had been dominating Pacific Coast League pitching, hitting .305/.341/.603. At the time of his promotion, Tomas was tied for the PCL lead in home runs with 29 and was second in total bases with 235. In addition, he was the winner of the Triple-A Home Run Derby.

“I think this year I was able from the get-go to get it going, and I thank the coaches and manager in Triple-A because they gave me a lot of confidence to keep going out there and grinding every day,” Tomas said.

Lovullo indicated that Tomas would likely see at-bats off the bench during the four-game series in Miami, but he could get the start as the designated hitter if he’s still with the team for the following two-game series against the Yankees in New York.

“We had a spot and we felt like there were going to be some at-bats that he could collect to help us win some baseball games,” Lovullo said. “He deserves it too. That’s another feature.”

The promotion has been a long time coming.

After playing in the big leagues in 2015 and '16, Tomas was optioned to Reno following a game against the Marlins on June 2, 2017, and he’s been in Triple-A ever since.

“Like you said, a year and a half in the Minor Leagues was a tough time, but it was time to grind and work on some things,” he said. “It wasn’t easy, it was hard, but I’m glad I’m back. I’m glad I was able to make it back.”

Tomas is making $15.5 million this year and is owed another $17 million in 2020 as part of the six-year contract he signed after defecting from Cuba prior to the 2015 season.

Defense has not been a strength for Tomas, and since D-backs executive vice president and general manager Mike Hazen took over prior to 2017, defense has been emphasized, which is one of the reasons Tomas found himself in the Minors.

“And I’ve been working on that constantly,” Tomas said. “I think I’ve been able to do the basic things, just trying to always get to the ball as quick as I can. Just try to do the basic things. I can only play the best I can when I’m on defense. There’s players that are fast and great defenders, but they cannot do some things with the bat. I can contribute with the bat and try to do my best on defense.”

No physical concerns for Holland

D-backs closer Greg Holland was removed in the ninth inning of Wednesday’s game after he threw eight of his nine pitches for balls, walking two batters.

Because his velocity was down a tick and Lovullo also visited him on the mound with a trainer in tow at one point, it was speculated that something was wrong, but Lovullo said after the game Holland was not injured.

“It’s probably the second time it’s been like that for me this year,” Holland said before Friday’s game. “Just for whatever reason I didn’t have anything behind the baseball. Arm didn’t feel cranky or sore or anything like that, just had a hard time getting loose. I didn’t play catch prior to the game, which in the past before day games if I felt fresh I wouldn’t. But this year typically I have been playing catch before games, so I don’t know if that maybe had a little bit to do with it.”

Holland struggled again on Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk in just one-third of an inning, earning a blown save and a loss in the D-backs' walk-off defeat vs. the Marlins.

“I got to be better than that,” Holland said after the game. “I threw off the mound earlier today, felt great. Felt good in warmups. But whatever it takes, you just can’t make that many mistakes and expect to win a game.”