Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo tells Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports that infielder Blaze Alexander has a right oblique strain. A firm timeline wasn’t provided but the skipper said Alexander’s absence will be measured in weeks rather than days. With Opening Day now less than a month away, a season-opening trip to the injured list seems distinctly possible. Even if he’s healthy prior to the opener, he’ll need to get some reps and effectively redo spring training to get into game shape.
Alexander, 26, projected as the club’s likely bench infielder before this injury. He got into 61 games for the Snakes last year, his first major league action, stepping to the plate 185 times. His .247/.321/.343 batting line led to a wRC+ of 88. That indicates he was 12% below league average overall but that’s not awful for a guy who can play multiple positions off the bench. Alexander logged at least 53 innings at shortstop, second base and third base last year.
The Diamondbacks have everyday regulars at those spots, with Geraldo Perdomo at short, Ketel Marte at second and Eugenio Suárez at third. Alexander can give the club cover at those three spots when healthy but they will have to find another option if he has to start the season on the injured list.
On the 40-man roster, the Diamondbacks do have some other infield options. Jordan Lawlar is the most notable, but he is one of the top prospects in the league and only played 23 minor league games last year due to injuries. Presumably, the Diamondbacks would prefer to have him playing every day in the minors and getting back in form after a mostly lost season. It’s possible he plays his way into the third base job and pushes Suárez into the designated hitter slot, though the Diamondbacks might also want Pavin Smith to get at-bats there.
Grae Kessinger and Tim Tawa are also on the roster, though Tawa has very little shortstop experience in the minors, making him an imperfect fit as the club’s primary bench infielder. Kessinger has played all over the field but has hit just .131/.243/.213 in his big league career thus far. His minor league offense has been better but still subpar. His .234/.332/.372 batting line on the farm over the past four years leads to an 83 wRC+.
The free agent market features guys like Jose Iglesias and Joey Wendle, though the Snakes likely won’t be compelled to make a move if Alexander is going to return fairly early in the season. Other infielders will surely become available as Opening Day nears and all clubs make their final roster cuts, so perhaps the Snakes will keep a lookout for veterans opting out of minor league deals or fringe players hitting the waiver wire.
Arenado and Donovan for Montgomery, Crisantes and cash makes sense.
MLB should ban obliques.
Yeah true, they’re totally ruining the modern game
Do we need our obliques?? Like our appendix or wisdom teeth, maybe obliques should be pre-removed in pro ball players. Solved it.
“Blaze Alexander” sounds like the name of a hero in a romance novel. Or of an exotic dancer.
He sounds like a videogame character lol
You name your horse Blaze, not your son.
“But that’s not what he said! He said ‘To blave!” And as we all know, to ‘blave’ means ‘to bluff’…”
I’m not an expert on all things Garrett Hampson, but he’s the kind of athletic, super utility guy Hazen and Lovullo love. As do I, but no one cares about that…
Looks like Garrett Hampson just made the team, expected it anyway. Alexander was destined for Reno. Hampson has the experience over Alexander.
desertdawg
Don’t forget, the inexperienced team in 2023 went to the World Series!, and the experienced team in 2024 failed to make the playoffs!
desertdawg
I’m putting my money on Jordan Lawler to be the utility infielder for most of this year. Maybe not from Opening Day, but early in the season. He can get enough at bats and field reps playing SS, 3b and DH, with maybe awe OF and/or 2b opportunities.
I think it’s a three way battle now between Ildemaro Vargas, Hampton and Jordan Lawler.
The picture associated with this article is eclectic
This injury could change their development and roster strategy in profound ways, leading to a potential long-term shift in how teams perceive offensive depth vs. defensive flexibility.
Old York
Isn’t that a bit dramatic for a Grade 1 strain?
@scottaz
You’re right that a Grade 1 strain may not seem severe, but it could still have significant long-term effects on a team’s strategy. Even a minor injury like this can create opportunities for other players to step up, potentially altering roster decisions and development plans. Plus, teams are increasingly valuing defensive flexibility, so this injury might push them to rethink how they build depth, which could have broader implications beyond just the short-term recovery.
What is with all the oblique strains? Is. Everyone trying some new batting technique that is causing this?