ALEK THOMAS NEWS

Logs hit in spring opener Thomas started in center field and went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Friday's spring game against Colorado.

Impact Thomas singled and scored as part of a three-run third inning. He's competing for an outfield job with Jake McCarthy, who started in right field Friday. Thomas is the better defender, but the winner of the battle likely hinges on his contact this spring. He smoked the single (106.4 mph) while the outs made were harmless groundball outs without much exit velocity.

FEBRUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Makes pre-swing adjustments Diamondbacks hitting coach Joe Mather said Friday that Thomas worked on his pre-swing activity during the offseason, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Impact Specifically, Thomas' adjustments included a slightly lower leg kick along with being more consistent with his stride and direction. He feels the cleaner mechanics will result in hard line drives with gap-to-gap power. Thomas hit the ball with authority (91.2 mph exit velocity) last season but mostly on the ground (60.8 groundball percentage). The outfielder, who is healthy entering spring training after missing significant time in 2024, begins camp as the No. 2 center fielder and will compete with Jake McCarthy for the starting job.

FEBRUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Part of camp battle? Thomas enters spring training listed second on Arizona's depth chart in center field.

Impact Jake McCarthy, who was in Thomas' shoes at the start of camp in 2024, is listed as the starting center fielder and deserves to be. Thomas suffered through an injury marred season and barely hit when healthy (.603 OPS). Meanwhile, McCarthy was a competent fill-in during the first half and eventually exploded in July/August (.878 OPS). The Diamondbacks don't lose much in the way of defense with McCarthy -- though Thomas is clearly the best outfielder defender on the team -- and the former's bat has been asset in addition to his work on the basepaths (74 steals last three seasons).

FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Back in majors The Diamondbacks recalled Thomas from Triple-A Reno on Thursday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Impact Thomas was optioned to Triple-A in the middle of August, but landed on the 7-day injured list due to a right oblique strain a few days after. He was reinstated from the injured list Sept. 18 after missing a month of action. With his return to the big club, Yilber Diaz and Blake Walston were optioned to Triple-A Reno

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action at Triple-A Triple-A Reno reinstated Thomas (oblique) from its 7-day injured list Tuesday.

Impact Thomas returned to the lineup for Reno's 9-2 win over Albuquerque, starting in center field while going 2-for-4 with a double and two runs. The 24-year-old had missed the past month with a right oblique strain.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on injured list Thomas was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Reno on Tuesday with a right oblique strain, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Impact After losing work in the majors to Jake McCarthy, Thomas was optioned to Triple-A last week in order for him to continue receiving regular reps. However, he is now expected to be sidelined for roughly four weeks as a result of his injury. The 24-year-old outfielder had gone 5-for-13 with a homer and two RBI in three games with the Aces.

AUGUST 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Headed back to minors The Diamondbacks optioned Thomas to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Impact He had been losing more and more playing time to the red-hot Jake McCarthy and will now head to Reno where he'll be given regular reps again. Thomas' elite outfield defense hasn't been able to overcome his weak bat, as he's slashed a woeful .191/.248/.362 across 37 games with Arizona this season.

AUGUST 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting to begin Saturday Thomas is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Phillies.

Impact Saturday marks the second time in three games that Thomas will begin the contest in the dugout. He went 0-for-2 with one walk in Friday's 3-2 win over Philadelphia. Jake McCarthy will start in center field and bat sixth against Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola.

AUGUST 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Saturday Thomas is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Phillies.

Impact Saturday marks the second time in three games that Thomas will begin the contest in the dugout. He went 0-for-2 with one walk in Friday's 3-2 win over Philadelphia. Jake McCarthy will start in center field and bat sixth against Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola.

AUGUST 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Resting against lefty Thomas isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup Thursday versus the Phillies.

Impact With left-hander Kolby Allard slated to throw the first pitch for Philadelphia, the left-handed-hitting Thomas will take a seat to begin Thursday's contest. Jake McCarthy will fill in as Arizona's center fielder and bat second while Thomas rests.

AUGUST 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out second game Thomas is not in the lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Guardians, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Impact Thomas went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in the Diamondbacks' 7-3 win in the first game of the day before getting removed for a pinch hitter. He'll begin the second contest on the bench but will be an option to enter late as a defensive replacement should the Diamondbacks grab the lead.

AUGUST 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Taking seat Monday Thomas is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Guardians.

Impact Thomas will take a seat for the second time in three days as left-hander Logan Allen takes the mound for Cleveland. Jake McCarthy will play center field and bat sixth Monday.

AUGUST 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Saturday Thomas isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates.

Impact Thomas will get a day to rest Saturday after going 1-for-3 with two RBI and a walk in Friday's game. Jake McCarthy will fill the void in center field and bat sixth.

AUGUST 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against southpaw Thomas is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.

Impact Thomas will take a seat for the third time in five games, with all of those absences coming against left-handed pitching. The lefty-hitting Thomas still appears to have a grasp on a strong-side platoon role.

JULY 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

On bench versus lefty Thomas isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup versus the Nationals on Tuesday.

Impact Lefty Patrick Corbin is on the mound for the Nationals for Tuesday's game, so the lefty-hitting Thomas will take a seat. Jake McCarthy has the start in center field and is batting sixth.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

On bench versus lefty Thomas isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup versus the Nationals on Tuesday.

Impact Lefty Patrick Corbin is on the mound for the Nationals for Tuesday's game, so the left-handed hitting Thomas will take a seat. Jake McCarthy has the start in center field and is batting sixth.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Idle against southpaw Thomas is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates.

Impact The lefty-hitting Thomas will be on the bench for Saturday's contest, yielding to Jake McCarthy in center field with southpaw Marco Gonzales on the bump for Pittsburgh. Thomas is slashing .206/.254/.413 in 68 plate appearances this season.

JULY 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Idle against southpaw Thomas is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates.

Impact The lefty-hitting Thomas will be on the bench for Saturday's contest, yielding to Jake McCarthy in center field. Thomas is slashing .206/.254/.413 in 68 plate appearances this season.

JULY 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Enters late, steals base Thomas entered Tuesday's game as a pinch runner and recorded a steal in a 6-2 win over Kansas City.

Impact Thomas ran for Lourdes Gurriel in the eighth, and his stolen base produced a run on Freddy Fermin's throwing error. The steal was his second four games and third of the season. Thomas, who was held out of the starting lineup against a right-hander, finished the game in center field.

JULY 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Tuesday Thomas is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Royals.

Impact After drawing the start against a left-handed pitcher Monday, Thomas will get the night off Tuesday. Jake McCarthy will bat eighth and fill center field.

JULY 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

On base twice against lefty Thomas went 1-for-3 with a walk, a double, an RBI and a run scored in Monday's 10-4 loss to Kansas City.

Impact Thomas got the rare start against a lefty and reached base twice, just the second and third times he's reached base safely against a southpaw in 2024. For his career, Thomas owns a .168/.201/.249 line against lefties.

JULY 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Idle against lefty Thomas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Impact Thomas will join fellow left-handed-hitting regulars Corbin Carroll and Joc Pederson on the bench as the Cubs send southpaw Shota Imanaga to the hill. Jake McCarthy will fill in for Thomas in center field.

JULY 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Clubs homer, swipes bag Thomas went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a stolen base in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Cubs.

Impact This was Thomas' first multi-hit effort since Opening Day, though he missed three months due to a hamstring injury. The outfielder also picked up his second steal of the year, which shows a bit more confidence in his running. Overall, he's batting .214 with a .670 OPS, three homers, 12 RBI, eight runs scored and three doubles across 18 contests. Thomas has a starting role in center field for Arizona, though he may sit out occasionally versus left-handed pitchers.

JULY 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Idle against lefty Thomas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

Impact The lefty-hitting Thomas will take a seat for the series finale while the Blue Jays bring southpaw Yusei Kikuchi to the hill. Jake McCarthy will fill in for Thomas in center field.

JULY 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Thursday Thomas isn't in Arizona's lineup versus Atlanta on Thursday.

Impact Thomas started in the first three games of the series against Atlanta and tallied just one hit in 11 plate appearances. Jake MCCarthy has the start in center field and is batting fifth.

JULY 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE