ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NEWS

Jordan Lawlar - Set to return Lawlar (back) is expected to play in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League beginning Monday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Lawlar will play several games there before returning to Single-A Visalia, where he batted .352 with seven home runs and 18 stolen bases prior to hitting the injured list. The shortstop experienced discomfort in his back last month, which was eventually diagnosed as a benign bone growth on the third rib of his right side. Lawlar was examined by an interventional radiologist and was cleared to resume playing. If the issue does recur, it could be addressed with an ablation procedure.

JUNE 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Phillies host the Diamondbacks on 5-game home win streak

The Philadelphia Phillies host the Arizona Diamondbacks aiming to extend a five-game home winning streak

JUNE 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Phillies knock around Zac Gallen, hang on to beat Diamondbacks Zac Gallen (4-2) gave up seven hits and six runs in just 1 1/3 innings and the Phillies beat the D-Backs, 7-5.

JUNE 11, 2022 • AZCENTRAL.COM

8 straight: Hoskins, Phillies stay hot, top Diamondbacks 7-5

Rhys Hoskins hit a pair of solo home runs and Kyle Schwarber added a three-run shot to lead the red-hot Philadelphia Phillies to their eighth straight win

JUNE 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

'Work in progress': Young Diamondbacks making big adjustments in move to major leagues The transition from Triple-A to the majors is considered the biggest jump a baseball player has to make. Some believe the jump has never bee...

JUNE 11, 2022 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Diamondbacks prospect Jordan Lawlar expected back in action soon The Diamondbacks got good news on shortstop prospect Jordan Lawlar, who is expected to return from the injured list in relatively short orde...

JUNE 11, 2022 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Pavin Smith - Not starting Friday Smith is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies.

Impact Smith clubbed a solo homer Thursday but has a .495 OPS through seven games in June and will take a seat Friday even though Philadelphia is sending righty Kyle Gibson to the mound. Daulton Varsho will rest his legs at designated hitter while Jose Herrera works behind the plate.

JUNE 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Christian Walker - Ready to play Friday Walker (face) is starting at first base and batting cleanup Friday against the Phillies.

Impact Walker was hit in the head by a pitch during Thursday's matchup with the Reds, but he's apparently none the worse for wear and is back in action a day later. The 31-year-old is off to a slow start in June and has a .148/.281/.407 slash line with two home runs in eight games.

JUNE 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mariners, Phillies and MLB's longest playoff droughts

Playoff droughts are a part of sports. Which MLB teams have a chance to break their elongated droughts this season?

JUNE 10, 2022

D-Backs vs. Phillies prediction, betting odds for MLB on Friday The Philadelphia Phillies lock horns with the Arizona D-Backs in MLB on Friday. This preview is based on 10K simulations of the game.

JUNE 10, 2022 • PENNLIVE.COM

Phillies Look for Third Straight Sweep; Host Diamondbacks The Philadelphia Phillies host the Arizona Diamondbacks as they look to sweep three teams in a row.

JUNE 10, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Josh Rojas - Part of ninth-inning rally Rojas went 1-for-4 with a single, two RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 5-4 come-from-behind win over the Reds.

Impact Rojas' two-run single was amidst Arizona's four-run ninth inning that turned a loss into a win. He's been a remarkably consistent bat in the Diamondbacks' order, never going more than one game without a hit. The team's primary third baseman is slashing .284/.369/.463 over 28 games and 111 plate appearances.

JUNE 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ian Kennedy - Melancon still closer Kennedy saved Thursday's game, but Mark Melancon remains Arizona's closer, the Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Melancon asked to get some work in because he hadn't pitched since last Saturday. With Arizona on the road and trailing 3-1 heading into the eighth inning, there was no guarantee anybody would be pitching for the Diamondbacks in the ninth, so manager Torey Lovullo brought in Melancon. After Arizona plated four runs in the top of the ninth and grabbed a two-run lead, Kennedy was summoned to close out the game. There is no change in Arizona's closing situation.

JUNE 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mark Melancon - Pitches eighth inning Thursday Melancon asked manager Torey Lovullo to let him pitch in Thursday's game because he hadn't pitched since last Saturday, the Arizona Republic reports. Melancon (2-6) picked up the w...

Impact Ian Kennedy closed out the Reds for the save, but the Diamondbacks were on the road and trailing 3-1 heading into the eighth inning. Because a bottom of the ninth inning was not guaranteed, Lovullo had Melancon pitch the eighth. Bottom line, there is no change in Arizona's closer situation, and Melancon remains the primary option for saves.

JUNE 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Phillies start 3-game series against the Diamondbacks

The Philadelphia Phillies begin a three-game series at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday

JUNE 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pavin Smith - Slugs eighth homer Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and two runs scored Thursday against the Reds.

Impact Smith took Tyler Mahle yard in the fifth inning to record his eighth home run of the season. He's homered five times in his last 16 games, also racking up 11 RBI and eight runs scored in that span. Overall, Smith has maintained a .210/.295/.381 line across 200 plate appearances on the season.

JUNE 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Zach Davies - Turns in quality start Davies allowed three earned runs on six hits and a walk while striking out seven across six innings Thursday against the Reds. He did not factor into the decision.

Impact Davies allowed four hits prior to recording an out, which led to all three of his earned runs coming in the first inning. However, he retired 14 of the final 15 batters he faced to turn in his second consecutive quality start. Davies has also seen an uptick in strikeouts in recent starts, tallying 18 punchouts across his last 19 frames. Overall, he has a 4.21 ERA with a 50:22 K:BB across 62 frames on the season.

JUNE 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ian Kennedy - Serves as closer Kennedy allowed a solo home run but earned the save Thursday against the Reds.

Impact Kennedy entered the game in the ninth inning and was tasked with protecting a two-run lead. He allowed a home run with two outs, but still successfully nailed down his fourth save of the season. It's unclear if Kennedy has completely overtaken Mark Melancon for the closer role, but it appears as if he is in line to earn at least some additional saves moving forward.

JUNE 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Harper, Phils win 7th in a row, hand Brews 6th straight loss

Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Odúbel Herrera homered as interim manager Rob Thomson and the streaking Philadelphia Phillies won their season-high seventh straight game, beating...

JUNE 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Comeback brightens D-backs' clubhouse mood CINCINNATI -- Things were not looking good for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Trailing 3-1 heading into the ninth inning Thursday afternoon, the...

JUNE 9, 2022 • MLB.COM

Josh Rojas, Arizona Diamondbacks rally for 4 runs in 9th, beat Cincinnati Reds 5-4 Josh Rojas hit a go-ahead single during a four-run rally in the ninth inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-4 on Th...

JUNE 9, 2022 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Christian Walker - Managing facial contusion Walker was diagnosed with a facial contusion after exiting Thursday's win over the Reds, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Impact Walker was hit in the head by a pitch in the top of the eighth inning Thursday, and he immediately left the game. While the 31-year-old will likely be monitored ahead of Friday's matchup against Philadelphia, he seems to have avoided a significant injury. If Walker misses any additional time, Pavin Smith and Jordan Luplow are candidates to fill in at first base.

JUNE 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rojas, Diamondbacks rally for 4 runs in 9th, beat Reds 5-4

Josh Rojas hit a go-ahead single during a four-run rally in the ninth inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-4, earning a split in the four-game series

JUNE 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pitching matchups for Diamondbacks-Phillies series at Citizens Bank Park The Diamondbacks and Phillies play a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia that runs Friday through Sunday.

JUNE 9, 2022 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Christian Walker - Exits after HBP Walker was removed from Thursday's game against the Reds in the top of the eighth inning after being hit in the head by a pitch, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Impact Walker remained on his feet after being hit in the helmet by a pitch, but he immediately walked to the dugout under his own power and left the game. He went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout prior to his departure and should tentatively be considered day-to-day ahead of Friday's series opener against the Phillies.

JUNE 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE