Injuries & Moves: Thomas, Moreno reinstated; Montgomery to IL
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June 2: OF Alek Thomas, C Gabriel Moreno reinstated from 10-day IL; RHP Gavin Hollowell recalled from Triple-A Reno; LHP Jordan Montgomery placed on 15-day IL; INF Blaze Alexander optioned to Triple-A; C Tucker Barnhart designated for assignment
Thomas played in just four games before landing on the injured list with a strained left hamstring, after which a lengthy three-month rehab process ensued. Moreno, meanwhile, missed the minimum 10 days after sustaining a left thumb sprain on a foul tip. Both were in Arizona's starting lineup for Tuesday's series opener at Dodger Stadium, with Moreno behind the plate and batting sixth and Thomas in center field, batting eighth.
Montgomery was slated to pitch on Wednesday against the Dodgers, but he felt something in his right knee during a bullpen session on Saturday, prompting the team to shut him down. Imaging revealed right patellar inflammation. Manager Torey Lovullo wouldn't provide a timeline, but the D-backs expect it to be a short-term absence. Right-hander Cristian Mena is with the D-backs on the taxi squad and is the most likely candidate to pitch in Montgomery's place, which would mark the Major League debut for Arizona's No. 11 prospect.
Alexander had batted .259 with a .689 OPS in 58 games this season, most recently delivering the pinch-hit game-winning RBI on Sunday vs. the A's. The D-backs have some things they'd like him to work on, and Lovullo said that could have been done either at Triple-A or in the Majors, but the roster crunch dictated the decision. Alexander will get reps at third base, shortstop and second base with Reno, with the idea of keeping him ready to come back up to fill in at any of those positions as needed later this season.
Barnhart's DFA comes after he hit .173 with a .497 OPS in 31 games with the D-backs this season. The club will ride with the duo of Jose Herrera and Moreno at backstop.
10-day/15-day injured list
LHP Jordan Montgomery (right knee inflammation)
Expected return: After the All-Star break
Montgomery first felt something in his knee while walking back to the rubber with 4-5 pitches remaining to go in his bullpen session on June 29. He was placed on the IL on July 2 (retroactive to June 29). Imaging revealed inflammation in his right patellar tendon. Manager Torey Lovullo did not provide a specific timeline, but he did say the D-backs expected it to be a short-term absence, and he wouldn't rule out the left-hander missing just the minimum 15 days. (Last updated: July 2)
RHP Miguel Castro (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Castro threw two innings and 24 pitches in an Arizona Complex game on June 29, following a 17-pitch outing on June 25 in an ACL game. Manager Torey Lovullo said July 3 would mark the end of his stint on the IL; however, it’s unclear if a rehab stint in the Minors is the next step. (Last updated: June 30)
LHP Blake Walston (left elbow strain)
Expected return: TBD
Walston is undergoing a throwing program, and he throws from 60 to 100 feet.
After his June 4 start against the Giants, Walston informed the team that he had been experiencing some discomfort in his elbow. A subsequent MRI exam showed inflammation. (Last updated: June 25)
SS Jordan Lawlar (left hamstring strain; No. 1 on D-backs Top 30 Prospect list)
Expected return: TBD
Lawlar injured his left hamstring while legging out a triple in the ninth inning of Triple-A Reno’s June 15 game. Lawlar had an MRI exam on June 17 that showed a Grade 1 strain, and he is expected to miss at least a month.
This is Lawlar’s second stint on the IL this year after he opened the season with a thumb injury and played his first Minor League game on May 29. (Last updated: June 18)
60-day IL
LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (left lat strain)
Expected return: Late July
Rodriguez will undergo another MRI on July 6. If it looks good, he will begin to ramp up his throwing program.
The left-hander has begun a throwing program and is throwing 105 feet, but the team has been taking things very slowly since his setback early in the process. His initial throwing program was paused after he experienced some discomfort in the left lat following an April 9 bullpen session. On April 17, he was moved to the 60-day IL.
The southpaw was removed on March 19 against the Cubs in a Cactus League game with left lat tightness after completing his warmup tosses for the second inning. An MRI exam the following day showed a strain, and he was placed on the injured list to open the year. (Last updated: June 28)
RHP Merrill Kelly (right shoulder strain)
Expected return: Late July
Kelly has begun a throwing program, playing catch from up to 90 feet. He was placed on the injured list on April 23, two days after being scratched from his start in San Francisco. Kelly said he felt something grab in his shoulder while playing catch in the outfield at Oracle Park on April 20.
He was transferred to the 60-day IL on May 2. (Last updated: June 21)
LHP Kyle Nelson (thoracic outlet surgery)
Expected return: 2025 Spring Training
Nelson underwent thoracic outlet surgery on May 6. The surgery was performed by Dr. Gregory Pearl, the same doctor who performed a similar procedure on Merrill Kelly in 2020. Nelson is expected to miss the rest of the season. (Last updated: May 7)
RHP Drey Jameson (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: 2025
Jameson underwent Tommy John surgery last September and per manager Torey Lovullo he is expected to miss the entire 2024 season. (Last updated: Feb. 15)