Pavin Smith - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Placed on IL with elbow injury The Diamondbacks placed Smith (elbow) on the 10-day injured list Monday with left elbow inflammation.

Impact Smith has been dealing with an elbow injury since spring training. An MRI last week came back negative, but Smith is dealing with inflammation that's been deemed back enough to finally force an IL move. He'll be eligible for activation April 8, but it's unclear whether Smith has a chance to be ready on that date. Ildemaro Vargas is starting at designated hitter for Arizona in Monday's game versus the Tigers and will continue to be in the mix for playing time there -- along with Tim Tawa, Jorge Barrosa and Jose Fernandez -- while Smith is shelved.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Taking seat Monday Smith is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Tigers.

Impact Smith had started each of the previous two games after overcoming a sore elbow, but he'll begin Monday's festivities on the bench. Ildemaro Vargas will serve as the designated hitter and bat eighth for the Diamondbacks.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Makes season debut Smith started at designated hitter and went 0-for-2 with two walks and a run scored in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Dodgers.

Impact Smith returned from an elbow issue that got him scratched from Thursday's season-opener. The lefty-batter should be in the lineup whenever Arizona faces a right-hander, either at DH or first base. The switch-hitting Carlos Santana has started the first two games at first base.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Late addition to lineup Smith (elbow) will serve as Arizona's designated hitter and bat fifth Friday against the Dodgers.

Impact Smith was a late scratch from Thursday's lineup due to elbow soreness. MRI results on his elbow came back clean Friday, and after feeling good following pregame batting practice, he's been given the green light to DH. The 30-year-old will aim to get off to a fast start after slashing .318/.318/.545 across 44 plate appearances in the Cactus League.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Will have MRI on elbow Smith will undergo an MRI on his left elbow Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Impact Smith was initially in Thursday's Opening Day lineup against Yoshinobu Yamamoto but was scratched with left elbow soreness. Tim Tawa instead made the start at designated hitter and hit ninth for Arizona. Tawa and Ildemaro Vargas would be candidates for increased playing time if Smith needs to miss more time.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Scratched from lineup Smith was scratched from the lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Dodgers due to left elbow soreness, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Impact The Diamondbacks don't believe Smith to be dealing with anything serious, but the team won't take any chances during the first game of a 162-game season. Tim Tawa will replace him as Arizona's designated hitter and bat ninth.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Extends hit streak Smith started at first base and went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Thursday's spring game against the White Sox. He also stole a base.

Impact Smith, who returned to action after missing a week of Cactus League play, immediately extended a hit streak to eight games. His first-inning single plated Arizona's first run. The stolen base is not typically a feature of Smith's game; he's swiped seven bags (10 attempts) over six MLB seasons. The lefty-batter is slashing .303/.303/.606 with two doubles, one triple, two home runs and five RBI through 11 spring contests. That's enough to retain a role as the primary first baseman against right-handers.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

In Thursday's lineup Smith (forearm) will start at first base and bat third in Thursday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.

Impact Smith was originally expected to return from his forearm injury Wednesday, but he'll now make his return after an extra day of rest. He's posted a .966 OPS through 29 plate appearances this spring and will have one more week of Cactus League games to prepare for the regular season.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

Expected back Wednesday Smith (forearm) is expected to be ready to return Wednesday against the Cubs, Bailey Leasure of Arizona Sports reports.

Impact Smith, who was scratched from Friday's lineup with tightness in the left forearm, has been shut down for a few days. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo indicated no imaging is necessary, suggesting this is a minor setback.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

Sidelined by forearm injury Smith is dealing with forearm tightness and will be rested for the next couple of days, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Both Smith and catcher Gabriel Moreno are dealing with forearm tightness, though only the latter will undergo further testing. That indicates that Smith's injury isn't considered a long-term concern, and he could be back in Cactus League action over the coming days. Smith is looking to build off of a 2025 campaign in which he slashed .258/.362/.434 with two steals, eight home runs and 28 RBI in 287 plate appearances during the regular season.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Finds home at first base Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said Tuesday that Smith will stick to first base instead of playing multiple positions this season, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. "We've neve...

Impact Entering camp, the Diamondbacks plan to platoon Smith (against right-handers) with Carlos Santana (against lefties). Implied in the general manager's comments is the expectation that Smith show improved defense, which would help him maintain the strongside platoon role. Smith recorded a .258/.362/.434 slash line with eight home runs and 28 RBI over 87 games and 287 plate appearances in 2025, the most playing time he's had since 2021.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Team explores alternatives at 1B Smith could face competition at first base with the Diamondbacks interested free agent Carlos Santana, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports.

Impact Smith heads into spring training as the putative starter at first base against right-handers, but the organization isn't done adding pieces. Arizona general manager Mike Hazen told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com that he'd like find another "complementary first baseman." Santana is a switch hitter that could fit in a platoon with Smith while also supplanting him from the left side. Gambadoro's report also indicates that the team is talking with other free agent first basemen, including former D-back Paul Goldschmidt.

FEBRUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Agrees to terms with D-Backs Smith (quadriceps) signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the Diamondbacks to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks on SI reports.

Impact Smith missed nearly all of the second half of the 2025 season with a combination of oblique and quadriceps injuries. He'll likely begin the 2026 campaign on the strong side of a platoon at first base, assuming he returns to health.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Transferred to 60-day IL The Diamondbacks transferred Smith (quadriceps) to the 60-day injured list Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Impact Smith's season is over after suffering a strained quad earlier this week. The lefty-hitting outfielder and first baseman appeared in just 87 games this season, slashing .258/.362/.434 with eight home runs, 28 RBI, 17 runs scored, two stolen bases and a 41:92 BB:K across 288 trips to the plate.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Likely done for season Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that Smith (quadriceps) is "trending toward" missing the remainder of the season, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Impact Smith landed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a quad strain suffered during a game Wednesday. His absence opens up playing time at first base and designated hitter. Tyler Locklear has started at first base in the two games since Smith sustained the injury, while Ketel Marte has operated as the DH.

AUGUST 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

IL move official The Diamondbacks placed Smith on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Aug. 28, with a strained left quad.

Impact Smith was lifted from Wednesday's game against Milwaukee with quad tightness and further evaluation confirmed he's dealing with a strain. Jordan Lawlar was recalled from Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move, but Tyler Locklear should handle most of the work at first base while Smith is idle.

AUGUST 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Bound for IL Smith (quadriceps) is likely to be placed on the 10-day injured list ahead of Friday's series opener against the Dodgers, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Impact Smith was removed from Wednesday's win over the Brewers due to left quad tightness. He won't stick around in Milwaukee for Thursday's series finale and will instead head back to Phoenix to undergo imaging. Assuming the MRI confirms a quad strain, Smith will likely require a stint on the IL. Tyler Locklear will start at first base Thursday and should serve as the Diamondbacks' primary option at the position while Smith is shelved.

AUGUST 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

IL-bound with quad injury Smith (quadriceps) is likely to be placed on the 10-day injured list, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Impact Smith was lifted from Wednesday's game against the Brewers with tightness in his left quad. He is headed back to Phoenix to undergo imaging, and the Diamondbacks seem to be anticipating that he has a strain and will need time on the IL. Tyler Locklear is starting at first base for Arizona on Thursday and should play there regularly while Smith is shelved.

AUGUST 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Idle due to quad tightness Smith (quadriceps) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers.

Impact After exiting early in Wednesday's 3-2 win due to left quad tightness, Smith will take a seat for Thursday's matinee contest. The Diamondbacks seem to be classifying Smith as day-to-day, and even if he had emerged from Wednesday's contest without an injury, he likely would have been in line to sit Thursday since the Brewers are sending a lefty starter (Jose Quintana) to the bump. Tyler Locklear will get the nod at first base in the series finale.

AUGUST 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Idle due to quad tightness Smith (quadriceps) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers.

AUGUST 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Exits with trainer Smith was removed from Wednesday's game against the Brewers due to left quadriceps tightness.

Impact Smith tweaked his quad while running out of the batter's box after hitting a single in the seventh inning, and he was immediately lifted for a pinch runner. The severity of his injury remains unclear, but more details may emerge after the game. If the 29-year-old ends up needing to miss time, Tyler Locklear would be the next man up to start at first base.

AUGUST 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Exits with trainer Smith was removed from Wednesday's game against the Brewers with an apparent injury, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.

Impact It looked like Smith tweaked something while running out of the batter's box after hitting a single in the seventh inning, and he was immediately lifted for a pinch runner. The Diamondbacks will bring him in for a closer look and should provide more details on the nature of his injury shortly. If he ends up needing to miss time, Tyler Locklear would be the next man up to start at first base.

AUGUST 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Resting against southpaw Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians.

Impact After returning from the injured list Monday, the left-handed-hitting Smith was included in the lineup for the first two games of the series while the Guardians send right-handed starters to the hill. With southpaw Parker Messick toeing the rubber for Cleveland in the finale, Smith will give way to the right-handed-hitting Tyler Locklear at first base. The two players could end up forming a loose platoon at the position over the final few weeks of the season.

AUGUST 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Hitless in return Smith started at first base and went 0-for-2 before being lifted for a pinch hitter in Monday's 3-1 loss to Cleveland.

Impact Smith was activated off the injured list Monday and was in the lineup against a right-hander. He was eventually pinch hit for against a lefty reliever by the right-handed batting Tyler Locklear, who had served as the primary first baseman since the Diamondbacks traded Josh Naylor. The two could operate as a platoon at the cold corner while Arizona is nominally a competitor for the postseason. At some point, the organization may want to see if the 24-year-old Locklear is a long-term solution.

AUGUST 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Reinstated from IL The Diamondbacks reinstated Smith (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Impact Smith has spent the last six weeks recovering from a right oblique strain that landed him on the 10-day IL in early July. He ended his rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno on a strong note, going 2-for-3 with two walks, two doubles and two runs scored in Saturday's contest. Smith should see regular work between designated hitter and first base, though he could rotate in with Adrian Del Castillo and Tyler Locklear.

AUGUST 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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