The Diamondbacks announced they’ve placed outfielder Kyle Lewis on the 10-day injured list due to an illness. The team added that they’ve recalled Pavin Smith from Triple-A Reno.
Lewis, acquired from the Mariners this winter, had scuffled to start the season, going 3-for-18 with a single home run. That’s been the story of his career since winning AL Rookie of the Year in 2020. Since then, Lewis has hit just .211/.291/.368 across 227 plate appearances, a far cry from the .262/.364/.437 line he put up in 2020 on the way to his Rookie of the Year award.
Arizona acquired the 27-year-old in exchange for Cooper Hummell this winter hoping that a change of scenery would help, and while it’s certainly far too early to write off Lewis yet, it’s hardly the ideal start to his time with the Snakes.
Now, the Diamondbacks will turn to Smith, a 27-year-old first baseman/outfielder who was initially competing with Lewis for a spot on Arizona’s active roster. Smith, the seventh overall pick in 2017, debuted with Arizona in 2020, and has compiled a .253/.320/.392 line with 21 home runs over 866 plate appearances since then. The bulk of that came in 2020-21, as Smith took a step back in 2022 hitting just .220/.300/.367.
It’s unclear how long the Diamondbacks expect to be without Lewis, but Smith will now have a chance to cement a spot on their bench.
Tough break for Lewis but it is Pavin the way for Smith’s return.
I don’t think Smith will be too effective since he’ll be cemented to a spot on the bench.
Pavement Smith?
Pretty hard to be more trite or obvious than that.
Pavin is a more versatile bench player than Lewis. Only problem is the value of Lewis in the lineup against left handers. Fortunately the young left handed OFers are doing a bit better against left handed pitching this year so that is not quite as crucial for the Dbacks lineup construction.
I worked with his dad for a couple years. He is a good kid. But it looks like he will never shake the injury bug. And unfortunately if he can not get healthy in a hurry he may have a ticket to Japan waiting for him . Or he will forever be a 4A player.
Poor Kyle…Get well soon buddy and hope things turn around for you in Arizona!
Other than COVID, what illness requires a 10 day IL trip? It’s not an injury this time, so wondering what it is.