Major League Baseball

Diamondbacks promote heralded Cuban outfielder Tomas

Published Apr. 15, 2015 7:50 p.m. ET

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The Arizona Diamondbacks recalled heralded outfielder Yasmany Tomas from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday to give them a spark off the bench.

"We definitely needed a player that we felt comfortable with coming here and not having any fear of swinging the bat, because we need a player off the bench," general manager Dave Stewart said.

Arizona signed the 24-year-old Cuban defector to a $68.5 million, six-year deal in December.

"We needed a bat, so Tomas' name came up and we're excited to have him," manager Chip Hale said. "He'll play off the bench for us. If there's a start, we'll see. He'll take some ground balls at third but mainly work in the outfield. But we're looking for him to give us a shot in the middle of the game in the pinch-hitting duty.

"When (Jordan) Pacheco went into that second catcher's role, it kind of took his bat out of the middle-of-the-game situation. So we're looking for Yasmany to take that spot and run with it. He showed us over spring training that he has a short enough swing that he can handle coming off the bench."

Stewart said the Diamondbacks could also play Tomas in the outfield or at third base against left-handed pitchers.

To make room on the roster, right-hander A.J. Schugel was optioned to Reno.

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