LOS ANGELES — The Diamondbacks designated Lyle Overbay for assignment when Chris Johnson joined the team Monday after being acquired from the Astros the day before.
The move leaves Paul Goldcshmidt as the lone true first baseman on the roster, although third baseman Ryan Wheeler spent a lot of time at first base for Double-A Mobile last season.
Johnson, who will start at third base and hit seventh Monday, also has played some first base.
Overbay, who signed a one-year, $1 million free agent contract to rejoin the D-backs last winter, hit well early, with 10 doubles and 10 RBIs in his first 71 at-bats while playing once or twice a week.
Goldschmidt took over a more regular role the last two months, however, limiting Overbay to pinch-hitting duty. Overbay had two hits in his last 25 at-bats, dropping to .292 with two homers and 10 RBIs.
The D-backs have 10 days to trade, waive or release Overbay, a .270 hitter in 12 major league seasons. It would not be surprising for a contending club to pick him up down the stretch, as the D-backs did last Aug. 13 in acquiring him after Xavier Nady suffered a season-ending wrist injury.
Goldschmidt is hitting .290 with 30 doubles, 13 homers and 48 RBIs.
