PAVIN SMITH NEWS

Sitting versus LHP Smith isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game versus the Cubs.

Impact Left-hander Shota Imanaga will toe the slab to begin Saturday's contest, so Smith and his career .600 OPS against lefties will remain on the bench. Randal Grichuk will serve as Arizona's designated hitter instead and bat fourth.

MARCH 29 • ROTOWIRE

Makes first start Smith started at designated hitter, batted fifth, and went 3-for-5 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 8-1 win over the Cubs.

Impact Smith was on the bench for Thursday's season opener against a lefty but made his first start Friday with a righty on the mound. He's coming off an encouraging season in which the lefty hitter achieved career highs in slugging, hard-hit and barrel rates. Smith will be given the chance to hold down the strongside of a platoon at DH, while Randal Grichuk should be in the lineup against lefties.

MARCH 29 • ROTOWIRE

Idle against left-hander Smith isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs, Aaron Hughes of SI.com reports.

Impact Smith is expected to receive the bulk of starts at DH while working in a platoon with Randal Grichuk, but a matchup against lefty Justin Steele on Thursday will keep Smith in the dugout while Grichuk enters the lineup and bats seventh.

MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to go Sunday Smith (wrist) is starting at first base and batting cleanup in Sunday's split-squad game against the White Sox.

Impact Smith departed Friday's contest due to a bruised right wrist but will rejoin the lineup just two days later. The 28-year-old is expected to begin the season operating as Arizona's primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching, with Randal Grichuk likely to handle the small side of the platoon.

MARCH 23 • ROTOWIRE

Exits with bruised wrist Smith was removed from Friday's Cactus League game against Milwaukee with a right wrist contusion.

Impact It's unclear how/when Smith bruised his wrist, but he was pinch hit for in the fourth inning after going 0-for-2 with a strikeout. His injury doesn't seem too serious, however, so he should still be ready to go for Opening Day.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

Homers off bench Smith hit a solo home run and walked over two plate appearances in Friday's spring game against Cincinnati.

Impact The Diamondbacks fielded what looked like a potential regular-season lineup Friday, but the lefty-hitting Smith did not start against a right-hander. Instead, manager Torey Lovullo had Jake McCarthy at designated hitter while Alek Thomas was in center field. To this point in spring training, it's widely been assumed that Smith would be the lefty component at DH against right-handers, and that McCarthy and Thomas were in a battle to start in center field. That still may be the case, so no conclusions should be drawn from this one spring contest. Smith has homered in two consecutive Cactus League games and is batting .259/.375/.856 through 32 plate appearances.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

Platoon at DH expected Smith is expected to serve as left-handed bat in a platoon at designated hitter this season, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Impact Smith will fill the role occupied by Joc Pederson last season. With Pederson moving on in free agency, Smith is a logical choice face righties, against whom he posted a .920 OPS over 135 plate appearances last season. He's bounced between the majors and minors the last few seasons, but Smith's second-half surge in 2024 reaffirmed manager Torey Lovullo's oft-stated belief that he can hit. Smith is not expected to see much time in the outfield but could get some opportunities at first base, where his defense is passable. His primary role, however, will be that of a strongside platoon at DH.

FEBRUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Settles with Arizona Smith signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Diamondbacks on Wednesday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Impact Smith's salary will more than double in 2025 after he slashed .270/.348/.547 with nine homers and 36 RBI over 158 plate appearances last season. With Joc Pederson now in Texas, Smith is likely to step in as Arizona's primary DH against right-handed starters, with occasional appearances at first base or in the outfield also possible.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Rough night in field 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.

Impact Arizona manager Torey Lovullo went with Smith's offensive potential -- six homers, .310 average in September -- 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 that opened 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.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Clobbers three-run shot Smith went 1-for-1 with a pinch-hit three-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Giants.

Impact Smith didn't enter the game until the bottom of the eight 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.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Losing work to Gurriel Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Remains in lineup Smith started in right field and went 1-for-5 in Friday's 7-4 win over the Brewers.

Impact Smith remained in the lineup with the return of Lourdes Gurriel, which will cost someone at-bats. On Friday, that someone was Jake McCarthy, but it could Smith at any point going forward. Smith has been more productive than McCarthy of late, but that could change.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Goes deep in victory Smith went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 5-1 win against the Brewers.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

On base three times Smith went 1-for-2 with two walks in Monday's 3-2 loss to Colorado.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Rattles off three hits Smith went 3-for-4 with two runs scored in Saturday's 15-8 loss to the Brewers.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against southpaw Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Doubles, delivers run in win 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.

Impact 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 opportunity could be coming to a close this weekend.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Historic offensive day Smith went 3-for-4 with three home runs, a walk and eight RBI in Sunday's win over the Astros.

Impact 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 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.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Homers, swipes bag in win 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.

Impact 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, IL) has created a path to at-bats for Smith -- this was his second start since Gurriel landed on the injured list. Smith could be a regular in left when Arizona faces a right-hander while Gurriel is sidelined.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Fills in at left field Smith started in left field and went 1-for-4 in Monday's 11-6 loss to the Dodgers.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Triple-A The Diamondbacks recalled Smith from Triple-A Reno on Monday.

Impact 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 this stint.

AUGUST 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Heads back to minors The Diamondbacks optioned Smith to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Impact 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 homers in 68 plate appearances.

AUGUST 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Gets start at first base Smith started at first base and went 0-for-4 with an RBI in Wednesday's 5-4 win over Washington.

Impact 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, Josh Bell is expected to take over at first base while Walker is out, which is estimated to be about three weeks.

AUGUST 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Called up to majors The Diamondbacks recalled Smith from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Impact 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.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled back up The Diamondbacks recalled Smith from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Impact Smith made his last appearance for the Diamondbacks on June 8, prior to being optioned to Triple-A Reno on June 10. In his 34 games in Reno after the demotion, he slashed .297/.416/.570 with seven home runs. The 28-year-old's return to the bigs comes with Christian Walker (oblique) being placed on the 10-day injured list.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE